EX200 Manage security Practice Question
Which file contains the hashed passwords for local user accounts?
⚠ Common exam trap
Red Hat often tests the distinction between /etc/passwd (world-readable, stores user info but not hashes) and /etc/shadow (restricted, stores hashes), exploiting the common misconception that passwords are still in /etc/passwd.
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
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/etc/shadow
The /etc/shadow file stores hashed passwords for local user accounts, along with password aging and expiration information. It is readable only by root (or privileged processes) to prevent unauthorized access to password hashes, unlike /etc/passwd which is world-readable.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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/etc/security/passwd
Why it's wrong here
This path is not a standard file in Red Hat Enterprise Linux. The /etc/security/ directory contains PAM module configuration files, not a user password database; creating or relying on /etc/security/passwd would not affect system authentication. Since local user hashes are instead stored in /etc/shadow, this option is incorrect.
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/etc/passwd
Why it's wrong here
While /etc/passwd defines local user accounts, its password field on modern systems simply contains an 'x' as a placeholder, meaning the actual hash has been shadowed to /etc/shadow. Because /etc/passwd is world-readable, storing hashes there would expose them to offline cracking attempts. Thus, this file does not contain the hashed passwords themselves.
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/etc/shadow
Why this is correct
The /etc/shadow file is the correct location for hashed passwords of local users on RHEL. It is readable only by root (and members of the shadow group) and stores each user's password hash, along with password aging information such as last change, minimum and maximum days, and expiration warning. The 'x' in /etc/passwd references this file for the actual hash.
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/etc/gshadow
Why it's wrong here
The /etc/gshadow file is the shadow equivalent for group passwords and group administrator (admin) membership, not for individual user passwords. It stores an encrypted hash for a group's password if one is set, plus the list of group admins, and is also readable only by root. User authentication hashes belong in /etc/shadow, making this option incorrect.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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