# CIS Ubuntu 14.04 LTS - 1.1.20 Ensure sticky bit is set on all world-writable directories

> Ensure sticky bit is set on all world-writable directories to prevent unauthorized file deletion

- Skill: `cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu-14-04-lts-1-1-20-ensure-sticky-bit-is-set-on-all-` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu-14-04-lts-1-1-20-ensure-sticky-bit-is-set-on-all-`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu-14-04-lts-1-1-20-ensure-sticky-bit-is-set-on-all-/raw
- Safety review: PASS (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: cyberstrikeus (https://skillmd.com/u/cyberstrikeus)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu-14-04-lts-1-1-20-ensure-sticky-bit-is-set-on-all-

---


# 1.1.20 Ensure sticky bit is set on all world-writable directories (Scored)

## Profile Applicability

- Level 1 - Server
- Level 1 - Workstation

## Description

Setting the sticky bit on world writable directories prevents users from deleting or renaming files in that directory that are not owned by them.

## Rationale

This feature prevents the ability to delete or rename files in world writable directories (such as /tmp) that are owned by another user.

## Audit Procedure

```bash
# Run the following command to verify no world writable directories exist
# without the sticky bit set:
df --local -P | awk {'if (NR!=1) print $6'} | xargs -I '{}' find '{}' -xdev -type d \( -perm -0002 -a ! -perm -1000 \) 2>/dev/null
# No output should be returned.
```

## Expected Result

No output should be returned. Any output indicates world-writable directories without the sticky bit set.

## Remediation

```bash
# Run the following command to set the sticky bit on all world writable directories:
df --local -P | awk {'if (NR!=1) print $6'} | xargs -I '{}' find '{}' -xdev -type d -perm -0002 2>/dev/null | xargs chmod a+t
```

## Default Value

By default, not all world-writable directories have the sticky bit set.

## Notes

Some distributions may not support the --local option to df.

## References

- CIS Ubuntu Linux 14.04 LTS Benchmark v2.1.0
- CIS Controls: 13 Data Protection

## Profile

- Level 1