# Cis Tomcat101 10.10

> Configure maxHttpHeaderSize (Automated)

- Skill: `cyberstrikeus/cis-tomcat101-10-10` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add cyberstrikeus/cis-tomcat101-10-10`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/cyberstrikeus/cis-tomcat101-10-10/raw
- Safety review: PASS (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: cyberstrikeus (https://skillmd.com/u/cyberstrikeus)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/cyberstrikeus/cis-tomcat101-10-10

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# 10.10 Configure maxHttpHeaderSize (Automated)

## Description

The `maxHttpHeaderSize` limits the size of the request and response headers defined in bytes.

## Rationale

Limiting the size of the header request can help protect against Denial of Service (DoS) requests.

## Audit Procedure

Locate each `maxHttpHeaderSize` setting in `$CATALINA_HOME/conf/server.xml` and verify that they are set to `8192`.

```
# grep maxHttpHeaderSize $CATALINA_HOME/conf/server.xml
```

## Remediation

Set `maxHttpHeaderSize` for each connector in `$CATALINA_HOME/conf/server.xml` to the appropriate setting.

```
maxHttpHeaderSize="8192"
```

## Default Value

The default is `8192` bytes.

## References

1. https://tomcat.apache.org/tomcat-9.0-doc/config/http.html

## CIS Controls

| Controls Version | Control                                                                                                                                                                                               | IG 1 | IG 2 | IG 3 |
| ---------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---- | ---- | ---- |
| v8               | 12.6 Use of Secure Network Management and Communication Protocols<br>Use secure network management and communication protocols (e.g., 802.1X, Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2) Enterprise or greater). |      | ●    | ●    |
| v7               | 5.1 Establish Secure Configurations<br>Maintain documented, standard security configuration standards for all authorized operating systems and software.                                              | ●    | ●    | ●    |

## Profile

Level 2