This EX200 practice question tests your understanding of manage security. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
A company runs a web application on a Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 server. The application is served by Apache HTTPD, and it requires read/write access to a custom directory /var/www/app_data. The SELinux context for the directory is set to httpd_sys_rw_content_t. Apache runs in enforcing mode. Recently, a new feature was added that requires Apache to connect to a database on the same server via a Unix socket. The database serves on /var/run/mysqld/mysqld.sock. After the feature deployment, the web application fails to connect to the database. The error logs show permission denied on the socket file. The socket file has permissions 660 and is owned by mysql:mysql. SELinux audit logs show AVC denials for httpd_t trying to connect to mysqld_var_run_t. Which of the following solutions should the administrator implement to allow Apache to read the database socket while maintaining security?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Enable the SELinux boolean httpd_can_connect_db using setsebool -P httpd_can_connect_db on.
The correct solution is to enable the SELinux boolean httpd_can_connect_db. This boolean allows Apache to connect to a local database socket. Option A changes context to a file type for content, not sockets. Option C is for network databases. Option D disables SELinux enforcement partially, which reduces security.
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 the SELinux context of the socket file to httpd_sys_rw_content_t using chcon.
Why it's wrong here
That context is for content files, not sockets.
✗
Enable the SELinux boolean httpd_can_network_connect_db using setsebool -P httpd_can_network_connect_db on.
Why it's wrong here
This is for network connections, not local sockets.
✓
Enable the SELinux boolean httpd_can_connect_db using setsebool -P httpd_can_connect_db on.
Why this is correct
This boolean allows Apache to connect to local database sockets.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Use semanage to add a context mapping for the socket file to httpd_var_run_t and set the httpd to permissive mode.
Why it's wrong here
Permissive mode reduces security; context mapping alone may not be sufficient without boolean.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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 practitioner preparing for the EX200 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which EX200 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Manage security — This question tests Manage security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Enable the SELinux boolean httpd_can_connect_db using setsebool -P httpd_can_connect_db on. — The correct solution is to enable the SELinux boolean httpd_can_connect_db. This boolean allows Apache to connect to a local database socket. Option A changes context to a file type for content, not sockets. Option C is for network databases. Option D disables SELinux enforcement partially, which reduces security.
What should I do if I get this EX200 question wrong?
Identify which EX200 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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