SSCP Systems and Application Security Practice Question
A security auditor discovers that a Linux server has a user who can execute any command as root via sudo without a password. Which file should be reviewed to verify this configuration?
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
✓
/etc/sudoers
The /etc/sudoers file controls sudo privileges. It can be edited with visudo. A NOPASSWD entry would allow passwordless sudo.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
/etc/shadow
Why it's wrong here
/etc/shadow stores password hashes, not sudo configuration.
- ✗
/etc/group
Why it's wrong here
/etc/group defines groups, not sudo privileges.
- ✓
/etc/sudoers
Why this is correct
sudoers defines which users can run which commands as which users, including NOPASSWD option.
- ✗
/etc/passwd
Why it's wrong here
/etc/passwd contains user account information, not sudo privileges.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This SSCP practice question is part of Courseiva's free ISC2 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 SSCP exam.