# Cis Tomcat101 10.13

> Do not run applications as privileged (Automated)

- Skill: `cyberstrikeus/cis-tomcat101-10-13` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add cyberstrikeus/cis-tomcat101-10-13`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/cyberstrikeus/cis-tomcat101-10-13/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-tomcat101-10-13

---


# 10.13 Do not run applications as privileged (Automated)

## Description

Setting the `privileged` attribute for an application changes the class loader to the Server class loader instead of the Shared class loader.

## Rationale

Running an application in privileged mode allows an application to load the manager libraries.

## Audit Procedure

Ensure the `privileged` attribute in each `context.xml` file does not exist or is set to `false`.

```
# find . -name context.xml | xargs grep "privileged"
```

## Remediation

Set the `privileged` attribute in all `context.xml` files to `false` unless it is required as for the manager application:

```xml
<Context ... privileged="false" />
```

## Default Value

By default, `privileged` has a value of `false`.

## References

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

## CIS Controls

| Controls Version | Control                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       | IG 1 | IG 2 | IG 3 |
| ---------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---- | ---- | ---- |
| v8               | 5.4 Restrict Administrator Privileges to Dedicated Administrator Accounts<br>Restrict administrator privileges to dedicated administrator accounts on enterprise assets. Conduct general computing activities, such as internet browsing, email, and productivity suite use, from the user's primary, non-privileged account. | ●    | ●    | ●    |
| v7               | 4 Controlled Use of Administrative Privileges<br>Controlled Use of Administrative Privileges                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |      |      |      |

## Profile

Level 1