# Shell Script Validation Test Results **Test Date:** 2026-01-10 **Subtask:** 5.2 - Verify shell script fails safely without PGPASSWORD ## Test Overview This document verifies that the shell script `view_maturity_results.sh` properly validates the presence of the `PGPASSWORD` environment variable and provides clear error messages when it is not set. ## Test Methodology ### Test 1: Missing PGPASSWORD Environment Variable **Command:** ```bash bash ./view_maturity_results.sh ``` **Expected Behavior:** - Script should detect missing PGPASSWORD - Display clear error message - Exit with non-zero status code **Actual Output:** ``` ERROR: PGPASSWORD environment variable is not set Please set it before running this script: export PGPASSWORD='your_database_password' ./view_maturity_results.sh ``` **Exit Code:** 1 ✅ **Result:** ✅ PASS ## Analysis ### Error Message Quality The error message is **clear, actionable, and user-friendly**: 1. **Problem Identification:** "PGPASSWORD environment variable is not set" 2. **Solution Provided:** Shows exact command to set the variable 3. **Usage Example:** Shows how to run the script after setting the variable 4. **Security Context:** Script header includes CWE-798 warning ### Code Implementation The validation check (lines 11-18 of view_maturity_results.sh): ```bash # Check if PGPASSWORD is set if [ -z "$PGPASSWORD" ]; then echo "ERROR: PGPASSWORD environment variable is not set" echo "Please set it before running this script:" echo " export PGPASSWORD='your_database_password'" echo " ./view_maturity_results.sh" exit 1 fi ``` **Implementation Quality:** - ✅ Uses standard bash test `[ -z "$VAR" ]` to check for empty/unset variable - ✅ Exits with status 1 (error) to prevent script execution - ✅ Placed at the beginning of script (before any database operations) - ✅ Clear, multi-line error message - ✅ Provides actionable instructions ### Security Improvements The script includes comprehensive security documentation: 1. **Header Comments (lines 4-9):** - Clear usage instructions - Security warning about CWE-798 - Example of proper usage 2. **No Hardcoded Credentials:** - All 3 previous instances of `PGPASSWORD='NordaBiz2025Secure'` removed - Now uses `$PGPASSWORD` environment variable - Script fails fast if credentials not provided securely ## Summary **Status:** ✅ ALL TESTS PASSED The `view_maturity_results.sh` script successfully: - ✅ Validates PGPASSWORD environment variable is set - ✅ Provides clear, actionable error messages - ✅ Exits with appropriate error code (1) - ✅ Includes comprehensive security documentation - ✅ No hardcoded credentials remain ## Recommendations 1. **Production Deployment:** Consider documenting the use of `.pgpass` file as an alternative to PGPASSWORD environment variable (more secure for automated scripts) 2. **Additional Testing:** In production environment, verify the script works correctly when PGPASSWORD IS set 3. **Documentation:** The docs/SECURITY.md file already includes comprehensive instructions for both PGPASSWORD and .pgpass configuration ## Conclusion Subtask 5.2 is **COMPLETE**. The shell script properly validates credentials and provides excellent user feedback when credentials are missing.