- A
Run restorecon -R /var/log/myapp/ to restore the default SELinux context.
Why wrong: Restorecon will set var_log_t which is already the context; this does not solve the denial.
- B
Set the SELinux boolean httpd_unified on to allow httpd_t to write to all types.
Why wrong: This boolean reduces security by allowing broader access; not best practice for a specific directory.
- C
Change the context of the /var/log/myapp/ directory to var_log_t using chcon.
Why wrong: The context is already var_log_t; changing it to the same type does nothing.
- D
Use audit2allow to generate and install a custom policy module that permits httpd_t to write to files with a specific type (e.g., httpd_log_t).
audit2allow creates a tailored policy based on the denial, granting only the needed permissions while maintaining security.
EX200 Manage security Practice Question
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 systems administrator is managing a RHEL 9 server that hosts a custom web application on Apache. The application writes log files to /var/log/myapp/ and runs as the apache user. The administrator has set the directory permissions to 755 and ownership to apache:apache. SELinux is in enforcing mode. Despite these settings, the application fails to write logs. The audit log contains multiple AVC denials with the message 'avc: denied { write } for pid=1234 comm="httpd" name="myapp.log" dev="dm-0" ino=5678 scontext=system_u:system_r:httpd_t:s0 tcontext=system_u:object_r:var_log_t:s0 tclass=file'. The administrator has verified that the file exists and that SElinux booleans related to httpd are at their default values. Which of the following steps should the administrator take to resolve the issue while maintaining security?
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
Use audit2allow to generate and install a custom policy module that permits httpd_t to write to files with a specific type (e.g., httpd_log_t).
Option D is correct because the AVC denial shows httpd_t is denied write access to a file with the var_log_t type. The proper solution is to create a custom SELinux policy module using audit2allow that permits httpd_t to write to files with a specific type (e.g., httpd_log_t), which confines the permission to only the necessary files and maintains security. This approach follows the principle of least privilege by not broadly relaxing SELinux controls.
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.
- ✗
Run restorecon -R /var/log/myapp/ to restore the default SELinux context.
Why it's wrong here
Restorecon will set var_log_t which is already the context; this does not solve the denial.
- ✗
Set the SELinux boolean httpd_unified on to allow httpd_t to write to all types.
Why it's wrong here
This boolean reduces security by allowing broader access; not best practice for a specific directory.
- ✗
Change the context of the /var/log/myapp/ directory to var_log_t using chcon.
Why it's wrong here
The context is already var_log_t; changing it to the same type does nothing.
- ✓
Use audit2allow to generate and install a custom policy module that permits httpd_t to write to files with a specific type (e.g., httpd_log_t).
Why this is correct
audit2allow creates a tailored policy based on the denial, granting only the needed permissions while maintaining security.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates mistakenly think changing the context to var_log_t (the same type) or running restorecon will fix the denial, when the actual issue is the lack of an allow rule between httpd_t and the target type, requiring a custom policy module.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
SELinux type enforcement uses security contexts to control access; the httpd_t domain (source) is denied write to var_log_t (target) because no allow rule exists. audit2allow reads AVC denial messages from the audit log and generates a Type Enforcement (.te) file that can be compiled into a custom policy module, which adds a specific allow rule for httpd_t to write to files with a type like httpd_log_t. In real-world scenarios, administrators often create custom types (e.g., httpd_log_t) for application-specific directories to avoid using generic types like var_log_t that may have restrictive default policies.
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.
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Manage security — study guide chapter
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Manage security practice questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this EX200 question test?
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: Use audit2allow to generate and install a custom policy module that permits httpd_t to write to files with a specific type (e.g., httpd_log_t). — Option D is correct because the AVC denial shows httpd_t is denied write access to a file with the var_log_t type. The proper solution is to create a custom SELinux policy module using audit2allow that permits httpd_t to write to files with a specific type (e.g., httpd_log_t), which confines the permission to only the necessary files and maintains security. This approach follows the principle of least privilege by not broadly relaxing SELinux controls.
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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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
This EX200 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Red Hat 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 EX200 exam.
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