OS X 10.8.2: zsh runs path_helper for non-login shells

Originator:larry.velazquez
Number:rdar://13103029 Date Originated:28-Jan-2013 10:33 PM
Status:Closed Resolved:Duplicate
Product:Mac OS X Product Version:10.8.2 (12C60)
Classification:Other Bug Reproducible:Always
 
Summary:

The zsh startup file /etc/zshenv alters $PATH using /usr/libexec/path_helper. Since *every* instance of zsh sources /etc/zshenv, $PATH is altered even by non-login shells (e.g., when one runs "zsh" from the command-line).

Steps to Reproduce:

1. Open a new Terminal window or tab.
2. Prepend a new directory to the $PATH environment variable. For example, run "export PATH=/usr/local/sbin:${PATH}"
3. Run a zsh shell that only sources /etc/zshenv and prints $PATH. This can be done by running:

    /bin/zsh -o NO_RCS -c 'echo $PATH'

Expected Results:

Non-login shells should not alter $PATH; they should respect the value of $PATH that they inherit from the parent environment. An instance of zsh started from the command line should therefore have the same value of $PATH as the parent shell had.

Actual Results:

The non-login zsh sources /etc/zshenv, which evals "/usr/libexec/path_helper -s", which changes $PATH.

Regression:

I believe all versions of OS X with zsh have this issue, although I currently cannot verify.

Notes:

A similar issue probably exists for bash, since /etc/bashrc also evals path_helper.

The simple solution is to run path_helper in /etc/zprofile, which is only sourced by login shells.

Comments


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