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dockersshpathalpine-linux

Path is different depending on how you connect to container

I have an Alpine docker container and depending on how I connect using ssh the path is different. If I connect using a PTY shell:

ssh root@localhost sh -lc env | grep PATH

this prints:

PATH=/usr/local/sbin:/usr/local/bin:/usr/sbin:/usr/bin:/sbin:/bin

However if don't use this shell:

ssh root@localhost sh -c env | grep PATH

this prints:

PATH=/bin:/usr/bin:/sbin:/usr/sbin

Why is this happening? What do I need to do so that the second command produces the same output as the first command?

Solution

  • I'll answer my own question. This stack overflow post has the main info needed: Where to set system default environment variables in Alpine linux?

    Given that, there are two alternatives:

    • Declare PATH using the ENV option of the Dockerfile

    • Or add PermitUserEnvironment yes to sshd_config file and define PATH in ~/.ssh/environment