This EX200 practice question tests your understanding of essential tools. 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.
Refer to the exhibit. -rwsr-xr-x. 1 root root 12345 Jan 1 2025 /usr/bin/passwd
What does the 's' in the owner execute position indicate?
Refer to the exhibit. -rwsr-xr-x. 1 root root 12345 Jan 1 2025 /usr/bin/passwd
Mandatory access control
Why wrong: MAC is not indicated by permission bits.
SetGID
Why wrong: SetGID shows 's' in the group execute position.
Sticky bit
Why wrong: Sticky bit shows 't' in the other execute position.
No special permission
Why wrong: Normal execute permission is 'x'.
SetUID
SetUID shows 's' in the owner execute position.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
SetUID
In Linux file permissions, the 's' in the owner execute position (e.g., `-rwsr-xr-x`) indicates the SetUID (Set User ID) special permission. When set on an executable file, it allows the process to run with the effective user ID of the file's owner (typically root), rather than the user who launched it. This is why option E is correct.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Mandatory access control
Why it's wrong here
MAC is not indicated by permission bits.
SetGID
Why it's wrong here
SetGID shows 's' in the group execute position.
Sticky bit
Why it's wrong here
Sticky bit shows 't' in the other execute position.
No special permission
Why it's wrong here
Normal execute permission is 'x'.
SetUID
Why this is correct
SetUID shows 's' in the owner execute position.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Red Hat often tests the distinction between SetUID (owner execute 's') and SetGID (group execute 's'), and candidates confuse which position corresponds to which special permission.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
SetGID shows 's' in the group execute position.
Detailed technical explanation
The SetUID bit is stored as the value 4 in the special permission bits (octal 4xxx), and it modifies the behavior of `execve()` system calls. A classic real-world example is `/usr/bin/passwd`, which has SetUID root (`-rwsr-xr-x`) so that non-root users can modify the `/etc/shadow` file. A subtle behavior: SetUID has no effect on interpreted scripts (shebang scripts) on most modern Linux systems due to security hardening, though it works on binary executables.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Essential Tools — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
Essential Tools practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
All EX200 questions
527 questions across all exam domains
Red Hat Certified System Administrator EX200 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
EX200 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Practise EX200 questions linked to Operate running systems.
Practise EX200 questions linked to Configure local storage.
Practise EX200 questions linked to Create and configure file systems.
Practise EX200 questions linked to Deploy, configure, and maintain systems.
Practise EX200 questions linked to Manage users and groups.
Practise EX200 questions linked to Manage security.
Practise EX200 questions linked to Manage containers.
Practise EX200 questions linked to Create simple shell scripts.
Practise EX200 questions linked to Essential Tools.
Practise EX200 questions linked to EX200 fundamentals.
Practise EX200 questions linked to EX200 scenario.
Practise EX200 questions linked to EX200 troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Essential Tools — This question tests Essential Tools — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: SetUID — In Linux file permissions, the 's' in the owner execute position (e.g., `-rwsr-xr-x`) indicates the SetUID (Set User ID) special permission. When set on an executable file, it allows the process to run with the effective user ID of the file's owner (typically root), rather than the user who launched it. This is why option E is correct.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Last reviewed: Jun 30, 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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.