LPIC-2 System Security Practice Question
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit. Output of `sudo -l`: User root may run the following commands on this host: (ALL) ALL User alice may run the following commands on this host: (root) /bin/systemctl restart httpd, (root) /sbin/reboot User bob may run the following commands on this host: (root) PASSWD: /bin/systemctl restart httpd, (ALL) ALL User charlie may run the following commands on this host: (root) NOPASSWD: /usr/bin/tail /var/log/messages
Which user can execute any command as any user without any password restriction?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often confuse the root user's inherent passwordless privilege with sudo's NOPASSWD directive, thinking any user listed in sudoers with NOPASSWD has the same unrestricted access as root.
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
✓
root
The root user (UID 0) has unrestricted superuser privileges by default on Linux systems. Unlike regular users, root can execute any command as any user without needing to provide a password, as there is no sudo or su password requirement for the root account itself. This is a fundamental security property of the Unix/Linux permission model.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
alice
Why it's wrong here
Only specific commands as root with password.
- ✗
charlie
Why it's wrong here
Only tail without password.
- ✓
root
Why this is correct
Root has (ALL) ALL with no passwd restriction (default NOPASSWD for root?). Actually root's entry shows (ALL) ALL, but root is not subject to sudo restrictions? Usually root is all-powerful. In this exhibit, root's entry is like a regular user, but since root is the superuser, it's effectively unrestricted.
- ✗
bob
Why it's wrong here
Can run any command but requires password (PASSWD default).
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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.