CompTIA Linux+ (XK0-004) — Question 48

Ann, a Linux administrator, wants to edit a configuration management file. When she opens the file to edit, her text editor reports that the file has been opened in read-only mode. She then tries to edit the file as root by elevating via sudo and is still unable to save any changes. The error message in her text editor says that the read-only option is set on the file. Ann checks the permissions on the file and sees the following:
-rw-rw-r-- 1 root wheel 30 Jun 13 15:38 infrastructure.yml
Which of the following commands is the BEST option to allow her to successfully modify the file?

Answer options

• A. chmod 600 infrastructure.yml
• B. chown root: infrastructure.yml
• C. chattr -i infrastructure.yml
• D. chmod o+w infrastructure.yml

Correct answer: D

Explanation

The correct answer is D because adding write permissions for others allows Ann to save changes to the file, as it currently has read and write permissions only for the owner and the group. Option A would restrict permissions further, option B does not change the permissions but only the ownership, and option C is used to change file attributes, not permissions.