This EX200 practice question tests your understanding of manage users and groups. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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.
Which THREE conditions must be met for a user to effectively use the 'sudo' command to execute commands with root privileges?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
User must be in the wheel group
Options A, C, and D are correct. The user must be listed in the sudoers file (A), the sudoers file must be edited with visudo to avoid syntax errors (C), and on RHEL, being in the wheel group is a common requirement (D). Option B (password) is not required if NOPASSWD is set. Option E is not a condition for the user.
Key principle: Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
The target command must be executable by root
Why it's wrong here
Sudo runs commands as root regardless of permissions.
✓
User must be in the wheel group
Why this is correct
RHEL's default sudoers grants privileges to %wheel.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
✗
User must have a password set
Why it's wrong here
NOPASSWD directives allow passwordless sudo.
✓
User must be in the sudoers file
Why this is correct
A valid entry must grant privileges to the user.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
✓
The sudoers file must be edited with visudo
Why this is correct
Visudo locks the file and validates syntax.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: authentication is not authorization
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Sudo runs commands as root regardless of permissions.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Authentication checks who the user is.
Authorization controls what the user is allowed to do after login.
Privilege levels affect access to EXEC and configuration commands.
AAA, TACACS+ and RADIUS can separate login success from command access.
TExam Day Tips
→Do not assume successful login means full administrative access.
→Look for words such as cannot enter configuration mode, privilege level, authorization or command access.
→Separate login problems from permission problems before choosing the answer.
Key takeaway
Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A junior network technician can log in to a core router but cannot reach the enable prompt or configuration mode. The AAA server is authenticating the login — but the authorisation policy only grants privilege level 1, not 15. Authentication (who you are) is working; authorisation (what you can do) is not.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related EX200 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
Manage users and groups — This question tests Manage users and groups — Authentication checks who the user is..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: User must be in the wheel group — Options A, C, and D are correct. The user must be listed in the sudoers file (A), the sudoers file must be edited with visudo to avoid syntax errors (C), and on RHEL, being in the wheel group is a common requirement (D). Option B (password) is not required if NOPASSWD is set. Option E is not a condition for the user.
What should I do if I get this EX200 question wrong?
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related EX200 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Authentication checks who the user is.
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