The answer is that the user lacks permission to the file server resource, because the Kerberos ticket-granting ticket (TGT) was successfully obtained, confirming that authentication to the domain worked correctly. The 'Access denied' error occurs at the authorization stage, where the file server checks the user’s identity against its own access control list (ACL) for the specific share or NTFS permissions. On the CISSP exam, this scenario tests your ability to distinguish between Kerberos authentication—proving who you are via the TGT—and authorization, which determines what resources you can access. A common trap is assuming a TGT failure caused the denial, but the TGT’s success isolates the issue to resource-level permissions. Remember: TGT = “Ticket to Get In” (authentication), but you still need a “key” (authorization) to open the file server door.
CISSP Identity and Access Management Practice Question
This CISSP practice question tests your understanding of identity and access management. 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 security engineer is troubleshooting an authentication failure for a Windows domain user. The user receives 'Access denied' when trying to access a file server. The Kerberos ticket-granting ticket was successfully obtained. 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.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The user does not have permission to the file server resource
Since the Kerberos ticket-granting ticket (TGT) was successfully obtained, the user has authenticated to the domain and the Kerberos authentication process is functioning correctly. The 'Access denied' error at the file server indicates that the user lacks the necessary permissions on the specific resource (share or NTFS), which is a separate authorization step after successful authentication.
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 file server is not trusted for delegation
Why it's wrong here
Delegation settings affect double-hop, not basic file access.
✓
The user does not have permission to the file server resource
Why this is correct
After getting a service ticket, the file server checks ACLs; if denied, it returns 'Access denied'.
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 account is locked out
Why it's wrong here
A locked account cannot obtain a TGT; the TGT was obtained, so account is not locked.
✗
Time skew between client and domain controller
Why it's wrong here
Time skew prevents TGT issuance, but TGT was successfully obtained, so time is synchronized.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse authentication (Kerberos TGT success) with authorization (resource permissions), assuming a successful TGT implies full access, when in fact Kerberos only proves identity and does not grant resource-level rights.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In a Windows domain, Kerberos authentication provides the TGT and then a service ticket for the file server (CIFS service principal). Even with a valid service ticket, the file server's Security Reference Monitor (SRM) checks the user's access token against the ACL on the file or share; if the user lacks 'Read' or 'Write' permissions, the server returns STATUS_ACCESS_DENIED (0xC0000022). A common real-world scenario is when a user is added to a security group but the group's permissions are not applied until the user logs off and on again, or when share permissions conflict with NTFS permissions.
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 security analyst at a medium-sized enterprise encounters this scenario during an investigation or architecture review. The correct answer reflects best practice for the specific threat or control described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Security exam questions test whether you can match controls to threats in context — not just recall definitions.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this CISSP question in full detail.
Identity and Access Management — This question tests Identity and Access Management — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The user does not have permission to the file server resource — Since the Kerberos ticket-granting ticket (TGT) was successfully obtained, the user has authenticated to the domain and the Kerberos authentication process is functioning correctly. The 'Access denied' error at the file server indicates that the user lacks the necessary permissions on the specific resource (share or NTFS), which is a separate authorization step after successful authentication.
What should I do if I get this CISSP 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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