# CIS Ubuntu 14.04 LTS - 6.2.9 Ensure users own their home directories

> Verify that users own their assigned home directories

- Skill: `cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu-14-04-lts-6-2-9-ensure-users-own-their-home-direc` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu-14-04-lts-6-2-9-ensure-users-own-their-home-direc`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu-14-04-lts-6-2-9-ensure-users-own-their-home-direc/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-6-2-9-ensure-users-own-their-home-direc

---


# 6.2.9 Ensure users own their home directories (Scored)

## Profile Applicability

- Level 1 - Server
- Level 1 - Workstation

## 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

cat /etc/passwd | egrep -v '^(root|halt|sync|shutdown)' | awk -F: '($7 != "/usr/sbin/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 output should be returned.

## Remediation

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

## Default Value

Not applicable.

## References

None

## CIS Controls

14.4 Protect Information With Access Control Lists - All information stored on systems shall be protected with file system, network share, claims, application, or database specific access control lists.

## Profile

- Level 1