Ensure root is the only UID 0 account
Scanned 9/3/2026
Install to Claude Code
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---
name: cis-gcp-cos-6.2.5
description: "Ensure root is the only UID 0 account"
category: cis-gcp-cos
version: "1.2.0"
author: cyberstrike-official
tags: [cis, gcp, container-optimized-os, user-accounts, duplicate-ids]
cis_id: "6.2.5"
cis_benchmark: "CIS Google Container-Optimized OS Benchmark v1.2.0"
tech_stack: [gcp, linux]
cwe_ids: []
chains_with: []
prerequisites: []
severity_boost: {}
---
# 6.2.5 Ensure root is the only UID 0 account (Automated)
## Description
Any account with UID 0 has superuser privileges on the system.
## Rationale
This access must be limited to only the default `root` account and only from the system console. Administrative access must be through an unprivileged account using an approved mechanism as noted in Item 5.6 Ensure access to the su command is restricted.
## Audit Procedure
Run the following command and verify that only "root" is returned:
```bash
# awk -F: '($3 == 0) { print $1 }' /etc/passwd
root
```
## Expected Result
Only "root" should be returned.
## Remediation
Remove any users other than `root` with UID `0` or assign them a new UID if appropriate.
## CIS Controls
| Controls Version | Control | IG 1 | IG 2 | IG 3 |
| ---------------- | --------------------------------------- | ---- | ---- | ---- |
| v8 | 3.3 Configure Data Access Control Lists | x | x | x |
| v7 | 5.1 Establish Secure Configurations | x | x | x |
## Profile
- Level 1 - Server
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