The root accounts executable search path must be the vendor default and must contain only absolute paths.

From VMware ESXi Server 5.0 Security Technical Implementation Guide

Associated with: CCI-000366

SV-51089r1_rule The root accounts executable search path must be the vendor default and must contain only absolute paths.

Vulnerability discussion

The executable search path (typically the PATH environment variable) contains a list of directories for the shell to search to find executables. If this path includes the current working directory or other relative paths, executables in these directories may be executed instead of system commands. This variable is formatted as a colon-separated list of directories. If there is an empty entry, such as a leading or trailing colon or two consecutive colons, this is interpreted as the current working directory. Entries starting with a slash (/) are absolute paths.

Check content

Disable lock down mode. Enable the ESXi Shell. = /etc/profile = PATH = /bin:/sbin Execute the following command(s): # grep PATH /etc/profile If the "PATH" is not set to "/bin:/sbin", this is a finding. Re-enable lock down mode.

Fix text

Disable lock down mode. Enable the ESXi Shell. = /etc/profile = PATH = /bin:/sbin Execute the following command(s): # vi /etc/profile Set the "PATH" to "/bin:/sbin". Re-enable lock down mode.

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