LFCS Question #702: Real Exam Question with Answer & Explanation

The correct answer is B: -rw-r--r-- 1 root root 531 Jun 5 22:45 /etc/passwd. The /etc/passwd file stores user account information and should be readable by all users but only writable by the root user to maintain system security and allow processes to look up user IDs.

Submitted by renata2k· Apr 18, 2026User and Group Management

Question

Select the line that BEST represents what permissions the /etc/passwd file should have.

Options

A-rw------- 1 root root 531 Jun 5 22:45 /etc/passwd
B-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 531 Jun 5 22:45 /etc/passwd
C-rw-r--r-- 1 1 1 531 Jun 5 22:45 /etc/passwd
DAll answers listed are not correct.
EAll answers listed are correct.

Explanation

The /etc/passwd file stores user account information and should be readable by all users but only writable by the root user to maintain system security and allow processes to look up user IDs.

Common mistakes.

A. The permissions -rw------- restrict reading for group and others, which would prevent many system processes and users from looking up user information, causing system functionality issues.
C. While the permissions -rw-r--r-- are correct, the ownership 1 1 (UID 1, GID 1) is incorrect; /etc/passwd must be owned by root (UID 0, GID 0) for proper system operation and security.
D. This is incorrect as option B is the correct representation of standard /etc/passwd permissions.
E. This is incorrect as only option B correctly represents the standard /etc/passwd permissions and ownership.

Concept tested. Linux file permissions for /etc/passwd

Reference. https://man7.org/linux/man-pages/man5/passwd.5.html

Topics

#File Permissions#/etc/passwd#User Accounts#System Security

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