Quick Answer
The answer is /etc/shadow. This file stores password hashes and must be readable only by the root user, typically with permissions set to 640 or 600. If its permissions are misconfigured to be world-readable, any local user on the system can read the hashes and attempt offline password cracking attacks, which is exactly the kind of security flaw a CompTIA Linux+ XK0-005 audit question targets. On the exam, you may be given a scenario where a user runs `cat /etc/shadow` successfully, and you must identify that the file’s permissions are too permissive—often a trap where students confuse it with /etc/passwd, which stores user account info but not hashes. Remember the mnemonic: “Shadow hides the hash,” reinforcing that /etc/shadow is the protected file that should never be exposed to non-root users.
This XK0-005 practice question tests your understanding of security. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A security audit reveals a misconfiguration. Which file has insecure permissions that could allow unauthorized users to read password hashes?
Both files are misconfigured
Why wrong: Only /etc/shadow has overly permissive permissions; /etc/passwd is correctly set.
/etc/shadow
Permissions 664 allow read by group and others, which is insecure; should be 600.
Neither file has a misconfiguration
Why wrong: /etc/shadow is misconfigured.
/etc/passwd
Why wrong: Permissions 644 are standard for /etc/passwd and are considered secure; it does not contain password hashes.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
/etc/shadow
The /etc/shadow file stores password hashes and should be readable only by the root user (typically permissions 640 or 600). If its permissions are too permissive (e.g., world-readable), any local user could read the hashes and attempt offline cracking. This is the misconfiguration the audit would flag.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Both files are misconfigured
Why it's wrong here
Only /etc/shadow has overly permissive permissions; /etc/passwd is correctly set.
/etc/shadow
Why this is correct
Permissions 664 allow read by group and others, which is insecure; should be 600.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Neither file has a misconfiguration
Why it's wrong here
/etc/shadow is misconfigured.
/etc/passwd
Why it's wrong here
Permissions 644 are standard for /etc/passwd and are considered secure; it does not contain password hashes.
Common exam traps
CompTIA often tests the misconception that /etc/passwd contains password hashes (as it did in older Unix systems), but modern Linux distributions use shadow passwords, so the hashes are exclusively in /etc/shadow.
Detailed technical explanation
Password hashes in /etc/shadow are typically salted and hashed using algorithms like SHA-512 (crypt $6$). The file's permissions should be 640 (root:shadow) or 600 (root:root) to prevent non-root users from reading them. In contrast, /etc/passwd must be world-readable (644) because many system utilities (e.g., ls, getent) need to map UIDs to usernames, but it contains only an 'x' placeholder in the password field when shadow passwords are enabled.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the XK0-005 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Security — This question tests Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: /etc/shadow — The /etc/shadow file stores password hashes and should be readable only by the root user (typically permissions 640 or 600). If its permissions are too permissive (e.g., world-readable), any local user could read the hashes and attempt offline cracking. This is the misconfiguration the audit would flag.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 30, 2026
This XK0-005 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the XK0-005 exam.
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