# Cis GCP Cos 6.2.6

> Ensure root PATH Integrity

- Skill: `cyberstrikeus/cis-gcp-cos-6-2-6` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add cyberstrikeus/cis-gcp-cos-6-2-6`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/cyberstrikeus/cis-gcp-cos-6-2-6/raw
- Safety review: PASS (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: DevOps & Infra
- Author: cyberstrikeus (https://skillmd.com/u/cyberstrikeus)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/cyberstrikeus/cis-gcp-cos-6-2-6

---


# 6.2.6 Ensure root PATH Integrity (Automated)

## Description

The `root` user can execute any command on the system and could be fooled into executing programs unintentionally if the `PATH` is not set correctly.

## Rationale

Including the current working directory (.) or other writable directory in `root`'s executable path makes it likely that an attacker can gain superuser access by forcing an administrator operating as `root` to execute a Trojan horse program.

## Audit Procedure

Run the following script and verify no results are returned:

```bash
#!/bin/bash

PATH="$(sudo -Hiu root env | grep '^PATH' | cut -d= -f2)"
echo "$PATH" | grep -q "::" && echo "Empty directory in PATH (::)"
echo "$PATH" | grep -q ":$" && echo "Trailing : in PATH"
for dir in $(echo "$PATH" | tr ":" " "); do
    if [ -d "$dir" ]; then
        ls -ldH "$dir" | awk 'substr($1,6,1) != "-" {print $9, "is group writable"}
            substr($1,9,1) != "-" {print $9, "is world writable"}
            $3 != "root" {print $9, "is not owned by root"}'
    else
        base_dir=$(echo "$dir" | cut -d "/" -f2)
        # Ignore if directory is on read-only partition
        rw=$(findmnt -T "/$base_dir" | sed '1d' | grep -v "\sro,")
        if [ -n "$rw" ]; then
            echo "$dir is not a directory"
        fi
    fi
done
```

## Expected Result

No results should be returned.

## Remediation

Correct or justify any items discovered in the Audit step.

## CIS Controls

| Controls Version | Control                             | IG 1 | IG 2 | IG 3 |
| ---------------- | ----------------------------------- | ---- | ---- | ---- |
| v7               | 5.1 Establish Secure Configurations | x    | x    | x    |

## Profile

- Level 2 - Server