Which configuration file does sudo read when determining if a user is permitted to run applications with root privileges?

Question

Options

• A/etc/audit.conf
• B/etc/shadow
• C/etc/sudo.conf
• D/etc/sudoers

• A
  15% (10)
• B
  5% (3)
• C
  8% (5)
• D
  73% (48)

Explanation

/etc/sudoers is the configuration file that sudo reads to determine which users and groups are allowed to run commands with elevated (root) privileges, and under what conditions. You can safely edit it using the visudo command, which validates syntax before saving.

• /etc/audit.conf configures the Linux Audit daemon (auditd), which logs system events - it has no role in authorization decisions.
• /etc/shadow stores hashed user passwords and account expiry information, not privilege rules.
• /etc/sudo.conf is a real file, but it configures the sudo front-end itself (plugins, paths, debug settings) - it does not define who is permitted to use sudo.

Memory tip: Think of the file name as "sudo's rules" - sudo + ers = the people (and rules) that sudo cares about. If you ever need to remember how to edit it safely, remember visudo ("vi for sudo") validates the file before writing, preventing lockouts.

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