Quick Answer
The answer is /etc/passwd. This file is the correct choice because it stores essential user account information, including the user ID (UID), group ID (GID), home directory path, and default shell, making it a primary target in Linux /etc/passwd file user account forensics. On the Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator CHFI exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between user account data and credential storage; a common trap is confusing /etc/passwd with /etc/shadow, which holds only password hashes and lock status. For exam context, remember that /etc/passwd is world-readable by design, so forensic analysts examine it for unauthorized accounts, UID 0 compromises, or shell entries like /bin/false versus /bin/bash. A useful memory tip: “passwd for profiles, shadow for secrets”—the passwd file gives you the user’s identity and home, while shadow guards the password hash.
This CHFI practice question tests your understanding of os and network forensics. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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.
In Linux forensics, which file contains user account information including the user ID, group ID, home directory, and default shell?
/etc/passwd
/etc/passwd contains user account information.
/var/log/auth.log
Why wrong: auth.log stores authentication logs.
/etc/shadow
Why wrong: /etc/shadow stores password hashes, not user info.
/proc/cpuinfo
Why wrong: proc/cpuinfo shows CPU information.
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/passwd
/etc/passwd stores user account details. /etc/shadow stores password hashes.
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.
/etc/passwd
Why this is correct
/etc/passwd contains user account information.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
/var/log/auth.log
Why it's wrong here
auth.log stores authentication logs.
/etc/shadow
Why it's wrong here
/etc/shadow stores password hashes, not user info.
/proc/cpuinfo
Why it's wrong here
proc/cpuinfo shows CPU information.
Common exam traps
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
proc/cpuinfo shows CPU information.
Detailed technical explanation
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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 CHFI 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 CHFI exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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FAQ
OS and Network Forensics — This question tests OS and Network Forensics — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: /etc/passwd — /etc/passwd stores user account details. /etc/shadow stores password hashes.
Identify which CHFI exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
This CHFI practice question is part of Courseiva's free EC-Council 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 CHFI exam.
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