LPIC-2 System Security Practice Question
A system with SELinux in enforcing mode is running a custom application that needs to write to a file in /data. The application's context type is 'myapp_t', and the target file context is 'default_t'. The file's current context is 'var_t'. Which command changes the file's context to allow access?
⚠ Common exam trap
Watch out — candidates often confuse `chcon` (immediate context change) with `semanage fcontext` (policy database change) or `restorecon` (reset to policy default), and fail to realize that `chcon` is the only command that directly sets the file's context without requiring a subsequent relabel.
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
✓
chcon -t default_t /data/file
`chcon -t default_t /data/file` directly changes the SELinux type of the file to `default_t`, which matches the type expected by the `myapp_t` domain's access rules. Since the application runs in enforcing mode and needs to write to a file with type `default_t`, this command immediately sets the correct context without modifying the policy or requiring a relabel.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
fixfiles -F relabel /data
Why it's wrong here
Relabels entire file system according to policy.
- ✓
chcon -t default_t /data/file
Why this is correct
Directly changes the file's type to default_t.
- ✗
semanage fcontext -a -t default_t /data/file
Why it's wrong here
Adds a file context rule but does not immediately apply; requires restorecon.
- ✗
restorecon /data/file
Why it's wrong here
Restores to default policy context, not the desired one.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This LPIC-2 practice question is part of Courseiva's free LPI 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 LPIC-2 exam.