# Cis Ubuntu2004 V300 7 1 11

> Ensure world writable files and directories are secured

- Skill: `cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu2004-v300-7-1-11` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu2004-v300-7-1-11`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu2004-v300-7-1-11/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-ubuntu2004-v300-7-1-11

---


# 7.1.11 Ensure world writable files and directories are secured (Automated)

## Profile

- Level 1 - Server
- Level 1 - Workstation

## Description

World writable files are the least secure. Data in world-writable files can be modified and compromised by any user on the system. World writable files may also indicate an incorrectly written script or program that could potentially be the cause of a larger compromise to the system's integrity. See the `chmod(2)` man page for more information.

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

Data in world-writable files can be modified and compromised by any user on the system. World writable files may also indicate an incorrectly written script or program that could potentially be the cause of a larger compromise to the system's integrity.

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

## Impact

None

## Audit Procedure

### Command Line

Run the following script to verify:

- No world writable files exist
- No world writable directories without the sticky bit exist

```bash
#!/usr/bin/env bash

{
    l_output="" l_output2=""
    l_smask='01000'
    a_file=(); a_dir=() # Initialize arrays
    a_path=(! -path "/run/user/*" -a ! -path "/proc/*" -a ! -path "*/containerd/*" -a ! -path "*/kubelet/pods/*" -a ! -path "*/kubelet/plugins/*" -a ! -path "/sys/*" -a ! -path "/snap/*")
    while IFS= read -r l_mount; do
        while IFS= read -r -d $'\0' l_file; do
            if [ -e "$l_file" ]; then
                [ -f "$l_file" ] && a_file+=("$l_file") # Add WR files
                if [ -d "$l_file" ]; then # Add directories w/o sticky bit
                    l_mode="$(stat -Lc '%#a' "$l_file")"
                    [ ! $(( $l_mode & $l_smask )) -gt 0 ] && a_dir+=("$l_file")
                fi
            fi
        done < <(find "$l_mount" -xdev \( "${a_path[@]}" \) \( -type f -o -type d \) -perm -0002 -print0 2>/dev/null)
    done < <(findmnt -Dkerno fstype,target | awk '{$1 !~ /^\s*(nfs|proc|smb|vfat|iso9660|efivarfs|selinuxfs)/ && $2 !~ /^(\/run\/user\/|\/tmp|\/var\/tmp)/(print $2}')
    if ! (( ${#a_file[@]} > 0 )); then
        l_output="$l_output\n - No world writable files exist on the local filesystem."
    else
        l_output2="$l_output2\n - There are \"$(printf '%s' "${#a_file[@]}")\" World writable files on the system.\n   - The following is a list of World writable files:\n$(printf '%s\n' "${a_file[@]}")\n   - end of list\n"
    fi
    if ! (( ${#a_dir[@]} > 0 )); then
        l_output="$l_output\n - Sticky bit is set on world writable directories on the local filesystem."
    else
        l_output2="$l_output2\n - There are \"$(printf '%s' "${#a_dir[@]}")\" World writable directories without the sticky bit on the system.\n   - The following is a list of World writable directories without the sticky bit:\n$(printf '%s\n' "${a_dir[@]}")\n   - end of list\n"
    fi
    unset a_path; unset a_arr; unset a_file; unset a_dir # Remove arrays
    # If l_output2 is empty, we pass
    if [ -z "$l_output2" ]; then
        echo -e "\n- Audit Result:\n  ** PASS **\n - * Correctly configured * :\n$l_output\n"
    else
        echo -e "\n- Audit Result:\n  ** FAIL **\n - * Reasons for audit failure * :\n$l_output2"
        [ -n "$l_output" ] && echo -e "\n- * Correctly configured * :\n$l_output\n"
    fi
}
```

Note: On systems with a large number of files and/or directories, this audit may be a long running process.

## Expected Result

PASS -- No world writable files exist and sticky bit is set on all world writable directories.

## Remediation

### Command Line

- World Writable Files:
  - It is recommended that the write access is removed from `other` with the command (`chmod o-w <filename>`), but always consult relevant vendor documentation to avoid breaking any application dependencies on a given file.
- World Writable Directories:
  - Set the sticky bit on all world writable directories with the command (`chmod a+t <directory_name>`)

Run the following script to:

- Remove other write permission from any world writable files
- Add the sticky bit to all world writable directories

```bash
#!/usr/bin/env bash

{
    l_smask='01000'
    a_file=(); a_dir=() # Initialize arrays
    a_path=(! -path "/run/user/*" -a ! -path "/proc/*" -a ! -path "*/containerd/*" -a ! -path "*/kubelet/pods/*" -a ! -path "*/kubelet/plugins/*" -a ! -path "/sys/*" -a ! -path "/snap/*")
    while IFS= read -r l_mount; do
        while IFS= read -r -d $'\0' l_file; do
            if [ -e "$l_file" ]; then
                l_mode="$(stat -Lc '%#a' "$l_file")"
                if [ -f "$l_file" ]; then # Remove excess permissions from WW files
                    echo -e " - File: \"$l_file\" is mode: \"$l_mode\"\n   - removing write permission on \"$l_file\" from \"other\""
                    chmod o-w "$l_file"
                fi
                if [ -d "$l_file" ]; then # Add sticky bit
                    if [ ! $(( $l_mode & $l_smask )) -gt 0 ]; then
                        echo -e " - Directory: \"$l_file\" is mode: \"$l_mode\" and doesn't have the sticky bit set\n   - Adding the sticky bit"
                        chmod a+t "$l_file"
                    fi
                fi
            fi
        done < <(find "$l_mount" -xdev \( "${a_path[@]}" \) \( -type f -o -type d \) -perm -0002 -print0 2>/dev/null)
    done < <(findmnt -Dkerno fstype,target | awk '{$1 !~ /^\s*(nfs|proc|smb|vfat|iso9660|efivarfs|selinuxfs)/ && $2 !~ /^(\/run\/user\/|\/tmp|\/var\/tmp)/(print $2}')
}
```

## Default Value

N/A

## References

1. NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5: AC-3. MP-2
2. STIG ID: UBTU-20-010411 | Rule ID: SV-238332r958524 | CAT II
3. STIG ID: UBTU-22-232145 | Rule ID: SV-260513r958524 | CAT II

## 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    |

MITRE ATT&CK Mappings:

| Techniques / Sub-techniques | Tactics        | Mitigations  |
| --------------------------- | -------------- | ------------ |
| T1222, T1222.002, T1548     | TA0004, TA0005 | M1022, M1028 |