- A
Changing your own login shell
Why wrong: Users can change their own shell if it is listed in /etc/shells, no root needed.
- B
Changing another user's password
Requires root unless using sudo.
- C
Changing your own password
Why wrong: Users can change their own password without root.
- D
Viewing /etc/shadow
The file is readable only by root.
- E
Creating a new group
Only root can create groups.
Question 247 of 513
LFCS User and Group Management Practice Question
This LFCS practice question tests your understanding of user and group management. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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.
Which THREE of the following actions require root privileges?
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
✓
Changing another user's password
Changing another user's password (Option B) requires root privileges because the `passwd` command, when used to change another user's password, must write to `/etc/shadow`, which is owned by root and has permissions 000 (or 600) on most systems. Only root can modify this file directly or via the `passwd` command with a target username. Non-root users can only change their own password, which is handled by the `passwd` command's setuid bit, not by direct file access.
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.
- ✗
Changing your own login shell
Why it's wrong here
Users can change their own shell if it is listed in /etc/shells, no root needed.
- ✓
Changing another user's password
Why this is correct
Requires root unless using sudo.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Changing your own password
Why it's wrong here
Users can change their own password without root.
- ✓
Viewing /etc/shadow
Why this is correct
The file is readable only by root.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Creating a new group
Why this is correct
Only root can create groups.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse 'changing your own password' (which uses setuid and does not require root) with 'changing another user's password' (which requires root), or they mistakenly think viewing `/etc/shadow` is always restricted, but root can view it directly, and non-root users cannot—so viewing it requires root privileges.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, `/etc/shadow` is typically owned by root with permissions 000 (or 640) to prevent direct reads by non-root users, but the `passwd` binary (setuid root) allows password changes by writing to it via a privileged helper. The `chsh` command similarly uses setuid to allow shell changes, but only for the current user. Creating a new group (Option E) requires root because the `groupadd` command writes to `/etc/group` and `/etc/gshadow`, both of which are root-owned and lack setuid helpers for non-root users.
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 junior network technician can log in to a core router but cannot reach the enable prompt or configuration mode. The AAA server is authenticating the login — but the authorisation policy only grants privilege level 1, not 15. Authentication (who you are) is working; authorisation (what you can do) is not.
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.
- →
User and Group Management — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this LFCS question test?
User and Group Management — This question tests User and Group Management — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Changing another user's password — Changing another user's password (Option B) requires root privileges because the `passwd` command, when used to change another user's password, must write to `/etc/shadow`, which is owned by root and has permissions 000 (or 600) on most systems. Only root can modify this file directly or via the `passwd` command with a target username. Non-root users can only change their own password, which is handled by the `passwd` command's setuid bit, not by direct file access.
What should I do if I get this LFCS question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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.
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