LFCS Essential Commands Practice Question
Network Topology
Refer to the exhibit.
A user attempts to read /etc/passwd and receives "Permission denied". What is the most likely reason?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates assume 'Permission denied' always means missing read permission on the file itself, but the LFCS exam tests the subtle requirement of directory execute permission for path traversal, especially on directories like /etc that are not world-executable.
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 user does not have execute permission on the /etc directory.
To read a file, a user needs both read permission on the file itself and execute permission on every directory in the path leading to it. The /etc directory typically has permissions 755 (drwxr-xr-x), which grants execute permission to the owner and group but not to others. If the user is not the owner and not in the group, they lack execute (x) on /etc, which prevents them from traversing into the directory to access /etc/passwd, even if the file's permissions would otherwise allow reading.
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 user is not in the root group.
Why it's wrong here
The file is readable by all, so group membership is irrelevant.
- ✗
The file has the immutable attribute set.
Why it's wrong here
Not indicated by the exhibit; immutable attribute would prevent modification, not reading.
- ✗
The user does not have read permission on the file.
Why it's wrong here
The file is world-readable (r-- for others).
- ✓
The user does not have execute permission on the /etc directory.
Why this is correct
Even with file read permission, the user must have execute permission on the directory to access the file.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This LFCS practice question is part of Courseiva's free Linux Foundation 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 LFCS exam.