The correct step is to change the group ownership of /var/www/html to a group that includes webuser and add group write permission. This works because the directory is owned by root:root with permissions 755, meaning only root can write; by assigning a group that contains webuser and setting the group write bit (g+w), you grant SFTP write access without altering root ownership or breaking security contexts. On the Red Hat Certified System Administrator EX200 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of Linux file permissions and the principle of least privilege—a common trap is attempting to change the directory’s owner to webuser, which would disrupt the web server’s access. Remember the memory tip: “Group and g+w, not owner change” to avoid breaking the apache user’s read access.
EX200 Manage users and groups Practice Question
This EX200 practice question tests your understanding of manage users and groups. 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.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
[root@server ~]# getent passwd webuser
webuser:x:1001:1001:Web User:/home/webuser:/sbin/nologin
[root@server ~]# ls -ld /var/www/html
drwxr-xr-x. 2 root root 6 Jan 10 10:00 /var/www/html
[root@server ~]# ls -lZ /var/www/html
drwxr-xr-x. root root unconfined_u:object_r:httpd_sys_content_t:s0 /var/www/html
[root@server ~]# id webuser
uid=1001(webuser) gid=1001(webuser) groups=1001(webuser)
[root@server ~]# groups webuser
webuser : webuser
Refer to the exhibit. A web server runs as user 'apache'. The directory /var/www/html is owned by root:root with permissions 755. The administrator wants to allow the user 'webuser' to upload files to /var/www/html via SFTP. Which step is necessary to achieve this?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Change group ownership of /var/www/html to a group that includes webuser and add group write permission
Option B is correct because the directory /var/www/html is owned by root:root with permissions 755, meaning only root can write. To allow webuser to upload files via SFTP, the directory needs group write permission. Changing the group ownership to a group that includes webuser and adding group write permission (e.g., chgrp webgroup /var/www/html && chmod g+w /var/www/html) grants the necessary write access without altering ownership or security contexts.
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.
✗
Change webuser's shell to /bin/bash to allow SFTP login
Why it's wrong here
SFTP does not require a login shell; /sbin/nologin is acceptable.
✓
Change group ownership of /var/www/html to a group that includes webuser and add group write permission
Why this is correct
This gives webuser write access via group membership.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Change the SELinux context of /var/www/html to httpd_sys_rw_content_t
Why it's wrong here
SELinux context change is not needed for SFTP; the httpd context is fine.
✗
Set an ACL on /var/www/html to grant webuser write access
Why it's wrong here
While ACL would work, it's not the only way; group ownership is simpler and sufficient.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may overthink and choose ACLs (Option D) as a 'modern' solution, but the question tests the fundamental Linux permission model where group write permission is the simplest and most direct method, especially when the directory is already group-owned by root and needs a new group.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, SFTP operates over SSH and authenticates as the user, so file permissions are enforced by the filesystem. Changing group ownership and adding group write permission (chmod g+w) is the standard method for collaborative directories. In real-world scenarios, administrators often combine this with a sticky bit (chmod +t) to prevent users from deleting others' files, and they may also configure sshd_config with Match Group directives to restrict SFTP users to a chroot jail for security.
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 security administrator must allow nursing staff to reach a patient records server while blocking access from the guest Wi-Fi VLAN. After applying an extended ACL, traffic is still blocked from nursing workstations. The ACL was applied outbound instead of inbound on the wrong interface. Questions like this test ACL direction and placement rules.
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.
Manage users and groups — This question tests Manage users and groups — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Change group ownership of /var/www/html to a group that includes webuser and add group write permission — Option B is correct because the directory /var/www/html is owned by root:root with permissions 755, meaning only root can write. To allow webuser to upload files via SFTP, the directory needs group write permission. Changing the group ownership to a group that includes webuser and adding group write permission (e.g., chgrp webgroup /var/www/html && chmod g+w /var/www/html) grants the necessary write access without altering ownership or security contexts.
What should I do if I get this EX200 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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