Use WORKDIR Instead of cd

LOW

Use WORKDIR instruction instead of 'cd' in RUN commands.

Rule Information

Language
Docker
Category
Best Practice
Author
Code Pathfinder
Last Updated
2026-01-17
Tags
dockerdockerfileworkdircddirectorybest-practicemaintainabilityclarityanti-pattern
CWE References
CWE-710

Interactive Playground

Experiment with the vulnerable code and security rule below. Edit the code to see how the rule detects different vulnerability patterns.

pathfinder ci --ruleset docker/DOCKER-BP-017 --project .
Vulnerable Code
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Security Rule

Similar Rules

Explore related security rules for Docker

LOW

apt-get Without --no-install-recommends

apt-get install without --no-install-recommends. This installs unnecessary packages, increasing image size and attack surface.

MEDIUM

Avoid apk upgrade

Avoid 'apk upgrade' in Dockerfiles. Use specific base image versions instead for reproducible builds.

MEDIUM

Avoid apt-get upgrade

Avoid apt-get upgrade in Dockerfiles. Use specific base image versions instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Use WORKDIR Instead of cd

Use WORKDIR instruction instead of 'cd' in RUN commands.
This vulnerability is rated as LOW severity, which means it should be addressed when convenient as it represents a lower security risk but still indicates areas for improvement in code quality and security posture.

Use Code Pathfinder to scan your Docker codebase and automatically detect instances of this vulnerability pattern. Install Code Pathfinder and run the following command in your project directory:

pathfinder ci --ruleset docker/DOCKER-BP-017 --project .

This rule is aligned with industry-standard security frameworks and classifications:

  • CWE (Common Weakness Enumeration): CWE-710
  • Tags: docker, dockerfile, workdir, cd, directory, best-practice, maintainability, clarity, anti-pattern
Yes! Code Pathfinder allows you to customize rules to match your specific security requirements and coding standards. You can modify the detection patterns, adjust severity levels, add custom sanitizers, and configure the rule to fit your organization's security policies. The interactive playground above lets you experiment with the rule and see how it behaves with different code patterns.
When this vulnerability is detected in your code, review the flagged instances carefully. Check the "Vulnerable Code" section above for examples of insecure patterns and the "Security Rule" section to understand what the rule is looking for. Follow security best practices for Docker and consult the CWE/CVE references for detailed remediation guidance. Always test your fixes thoroughly before deploying to production.
Back to Best PracticeAll Languages →