# Cis GCP Cos 6.2.9

> Ensure users own their home directories

- Skill: `cyberstrikeus/cis-gcp-cos-6-2-9` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add cyberstrikeus/cis-gcp-cos-6-2-9`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/cyberstrikeus/cis-gcp-cos-6-2-9/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-6-2-9

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# 6.2.9 Ensure users own their home directories (Automated)

## Description

The user home directory is space defined for the particular user to set local environment variables and to store personal files.

## Rationale

Since the user is accountable for files stored in the user home directory, the user must be the owner of the directory.

## Audit Procedure

Run the following script and verify no results are returned:

```bash
#!/bin/bash

grep -E -v '^(halt|sync|shutdown)' /etc/passwd | awk -F: '($7 != "'"$(which nologin)"'" && $7 != "/bin/false") { print $1 " " $6 }' | while read user dir; do
  if [ ! -d "$dir" ]; then
    echo "The home directory ($dir) of user $user does not exist."
  else
    owner=$(stat -L -c "%U" "$dir")
    if [ "$owner" != "$user" ]; then
      echo "The home directory ($dir) of user $user is owned by $owner."
    fi
  fi
done
```

## Expected Result

No results should be returned.

## Remediation

Change the ownership of any home directories that are not owned by the defined user to the correct user.

## Additional Information

On some distributions the `/sbin/nologin` should be replaced with `/usr/sbin/nologin`.

## CIS Controls

| Controls Version | Control                                               | IG 1 | IG 2 | IG 3 |
| ---------------- | ----------------------------------------------------- | ---- | ---- | ---- |
| v8               | 3.3 Configure Data Access Control Lists               | x    | x    | x    |
| v7               | 14.6 Protect Information through Access Control Lists | x    | x    | x    |

## Profile

- Level 2 - Server