[CentOS] How to query the package owning the file? (no packahe manger installed)

Guys recently I had this question asked in a technical interview.
 How do I find out the package owning a particular file, when no package 
managers are installed?
 I am assuimg SRPMs are used to install the software?
 Is this actually possible? Install the Linux OS without a package manager?
 I know "rpm -qf filename" gives the package owning the file.
But how to get the package name when I don't have any package manager?
 Maybe this was a question to rattle me?

-- 
Prasad Pillarisetti
"If everything is coming your way, then you are in the wrong lane"
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