Question 492 of 750

Linux Commands and File Permissions →mediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

Why a Script Fails with Permission Denied: noexec Mount Option

This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of linux commands and file permissions. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 user reports that a script they run daily now fails with 'Permission denied' even though they haven't changed any permissions. The script is located in /usr/local/bin/script.sh and has permissions -rwxr-xr-x. The user is in the 'users' group. What is the most likely issue?

Clue words in this question

Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.

Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.

A
The script's shebang line is incorrect.
Why wrong: While a bad shebang can cause errors, it usually gives 'command not found' or similar, not 'Permission denied'.
B
The /usr/local/bin partition is mounted with the noexec option.
If the filesystem is mounted with noexec, no binaries or scripts can be executed, even if permissions are correct.
C
The user does not have read permission on the script.
Why wrong: The script has r-x for others, so read permission is present.
D
The script has been replaced with a directory.
Why wrong: If it were a directory, the error would be different, such as 'Is a directory'.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

Quick Answer

The answer is the noexec mount option, which prevents any script from executing on a partition regardless of its file permissions. Even though the script at /usr/local/bin/script.sh shows -rwxr-xr-x, meaning others have execute permission, the noexec mount flag overrides those bits at the filesystem level, causing the kernel to deny execution and return a “Permission denied” error. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this scenario tests your understanding that mount options can silently block script execution without any permission changes—a common trap where candidates focus only on chmod or ownership. Remember that noexec is often applied to partitions like /home or /var for security, but if applied to /usr/local/bin, it breaks scripts for all users. Memory tip: “noexec = no execute, no matter the bits.”

Answer choices

Why each option matters

Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.

Correct answer & explanation

✓

The /usr/local/bin partition is mounted with the noexec option.

The script has execute permissions for the user (rwxr-xr-x), so the 'Permission denied' error is not due to missing execute bits. The most likely cause is that the /usr/local/bin filesystem is mounted with the 'noexec' option, which prevents execution of any binary or script regardless of its permission bits. This is a common administrative security measure that blocks execution from specific partitions, and it would cause the script to fail with 'Permission denied' even though the file permissions appear correct.

Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.

Answer analysis

Option-by-option breakdown

For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.

✗
The script's shebang line is incorrect.
Why it's wrong here
While a bad shebang can cause errors, it usually gives 'command not found' or similar, not 'Permission denied'.
✓
The /usr/local/bin partition is mounted with the noexec option.
Why this is correct
If the filesystem is mounted with noexec, no binaries or scripts can be executed, even if permissions are correct.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The user does not have read permission on the script.
Why it's wrong here
The script has r-x for others, so read permission is present.
✗
The script has been replaced with a directory.
Why it's wrong here
If it were a directory, the error would be different, such as 'Is a directory'.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

This question tests the distinction between file permission bits and filesystem mount options, trapping candidates who focus only on chmod or ownership changes when the real issue is a system-wide execution restriction like 'noexec'.

Trap categories for this question

Similar concept trap
While a bad shebang can cause errors, it usually gives 'command not found' or similar, not 'Permission denied'.
Command / output trap
While a bad shebang can cause errors, it usually gives 'command not found' or similar, not 'Permission denied'.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

The 'noexec' mount option is set in /etc/fstab or via the mount command and prevents the kernel from honoring execute permission bits on that filesystem. This is often applied to partitions like /tmp, /var/tmp, or /home to prevent users from executing arbitrary binaries or scripts from writable locations. To verify, use 'mount | grep /usr/local/bin' or check the output of 'mount -l' for the 'noexec' flag; the script can still be run by invoking an interpreter explicitly (e.g., 'bash /usr/local/bin/script.sh') because the interpreter itself is executed, not the script file directly.

KKey Concepts to Remember

Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.

TExam Day Tips

Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.

Key takeaway

Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.

Real-world example

How this comes up in practice

A practitioner preparing for the 220-1202 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

Got this wrong? Here's your next step.

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

Questions learners often ask

What does this 220-1202 question test?

Linux Commands and File Permissions — This question tests Linux Commands and File Permissions — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: The /usr/local/bin partition is mounted with the noexec option. — The script has execute permissions for the user (rwxr-xr-x), so the 'Permission denied' error is not due to missing execute bits. The most likely cause is that the /usr/local/bin filesystem is mounted with the 'noexec' option, which prevents execution of any binary or script regardless of its permission bits. This is a common administrative security measure that blocks execution from specific partitions, and it would cause the script to fail with 'Permission denied' even though the file permissions appear correct.

What should I do if I get this 220-1202 question wrong?

Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.

Are there clue words in this question I should notice?

Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.

What is the key concept behind this question?

Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

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