LPIC-1 Linux Installation and Package Management Practice Question
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit. ``` $ rpm -qf /usr/bin/passwd passwd-0.79-5.el7.x86_64 $ rpm -V passwd S.5....T. c /etc/pam.d/passwd missing c /etc/security/passwd ```
Refer to the exhibit. A system administrator checks the integrity of the passwd package on a CentOS 7 system using rpm -V. Based on the output, what is the most likely cause of the 'missing' line?
⚠ Common exam trap
A common mix-up: candidates confuse 'missing' with 'modified' or think an incomplete installation would cause a single missing file, but rpm -V specifically distinguishes between missing files (deleted) and modified files (changed attributes).
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 file /etc/security/passwd was deleted from the filesystem.
The 'missing' line in the rpm -V output indicates that the file /etc/security/passwd is not present on the filesystem. Since rpm -V verifies file attributes and existence against the RPM database, a missing file means it was deleted after installation. Option D correctly identifies this as the most likely cause.
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 package was updated to a newer version that no longer includes this file.
Why it's wrong here
rpm -V verifies against the installed package database; if the package was updated, it would show different metadata, not 'missing'.
- ✗
The file /etc/security/passwd was modified after installation.
Why it's wrong here
Modification would show flags like S.5....T, not 'missing'.
- ✗
The package was not installed completely.
Why it's wrong here
An incomplete installation would likely show multiple missing files, not just one.
- ✓
The file /etc/security/passwd was deleted from the filesystem.
Why this is correct
The 'missing' attribute indicates the file is not present on disk.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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