- A
Configure the SSH daemon to allow password authentication for local users
Why wrong: The SSH server already allows password authentication.
- B
Change jane's login shell to /bin/bash using usermod -s /bin/bash jane
If the user's shell is set to /sbin/nologin or a non-existent shell, SSH will reject authentication despite correct password.
- C
Unlock the account using passwd -u jane
Why wrong: The account is not locked according to the administrator's verification.
- D
Remove the password expiry for jane using chage -E -1 jane
Why wrong: Password expiry would cause a warning, not immediate denial.
Question 286 of 513
LFCS /etc/shells Practice Question
This LFCS practice question tests your understanding of user and group management. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. A key principle to apply: /etc/shells. 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.
You are the Linux administrator for a medium-sized company that uses a centralized authentication system (LDAP) for user accounts, but local files (/etc/passwd, /etc/shadow, /etc/group) are also used for a few service accounts. The server is running RHEL 8. A new employee, 'jane', needs to be added to the local system for a temporary project. You create the user with 'useradd jane' and set a password with 'passwd jane'. However, when jane tries to log in via SSH using her password, she receives 'Permission denied, please try again.' The SSH server is configured to allow password authentication. Other users (both LDAP and local) can log in successfully. You verify that the password was set correctly and that the account is not locked. What is the most likely cause and solution?
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 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
✓
Change jane's login shell to /bin/bash using usermod -s /bin/bash jane
Option B is correct because SSH login may fail if the user's login shell is not a valid interactive shell listed in /etc/shells. While the default shell for new users on RHEL 8 is /bin/bash, the 'useradd' command can be configured with different defaults. In this case, jane's shell might be set to /sbin/nologin, preventing SSH session establishment after successful authentication. Changing it to /bin/bash with 'usermod -s /bin/bash jane' resolves the issue.
Key principle: /etc/shells
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Configure the SSH daemon to allow password authentication for local users
Why it's wrong here
The SSH server already allows password authentication.
- ✓
Change jane's login shell to /bin/bash using usermod -s /bin/bash jane
Why this is correct
If the user's shell is set to /sbin/nologin or a non-existent shell, SSH will reject authentication despite correct password.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
/etc/shells
- ✗
Unlock the account using passwd -u jane
Why it's wrong here
The account is not locked according to the administrator's verification.
- ✗
Remove the password expiry for jane using chage -E -1 jane
Why it's wrong here
Password expiry would cause a warning, not immediate denial.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap is that candidates often overlook that the shell must be a valid login shell. They may focus on account locking or password issues while the shell silently rejects login.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
When a user's shell is set to /sbin/nologin, the system's PAM configuration (specifically pam_nologin.so) or the SSH daemon itself checks the shell path during session initialization. If the shell is listed in /etc/shells as a non-login shell, SSH will close the connection after successful authentication. This behavior is defined in the SSH protocol (RFC 4252) and is a common security measure to prevent interactive logins for service accounts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- /etc/shells
- usermod
- /sbin/nologin
- login shell
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
/etc/shells
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the LFCS 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. /etc/shells Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
Visual reference
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review /etc/shells, then practise related LFCS questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
- →
User and Group Management — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
User and Group Management practice 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 — /etc/shells.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Change jane's login shell to /bin/bash using usermod -s /bin/bash jane — Option B is correct because SSH login may fail if the user's login shell is not a valid interactive shell listed in /etc/shells. While the default shell for new users on RHEL 8 is /bin/bash, the 'useradd' command can be configured with different defaults. In this case, jane's shell might be set to /sbin/nologin, preventing SSH session establishment after successful authentication. Changing it to /bin/bash with 'usermod -s /bin/bash jane' resolves the issue.
What should I do if I get this LFCS question wrong?
Review /etc/shells, then practise related LFCS questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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?
/etc/shells
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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