# Cis Tomcat101 4.12

> Restrict access to Tomcat server.xml

- Skill: `cyberstrikeus/cis-tomcat101-4-12` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add cyberstrikeus/cis-tomcat101-4-12`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/cyberstrikeus/cis-tomcat101-4-12/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-tomcat101-4-12

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# 4.12 Restrict access to Tomcat server.xml (Automated)

## Profile Applicability

• Level 1

## Description

`server.xml` contains Tomcat servlet definitions and configurations. It is recommended that access to this file properly protect from unauthorized changes.

## Rationale

Restricting access to this file will prevent local users from maliciously or inadvertently altering Tomcat's security policy.

## Audit Procedure

Perform the following to determine if the ownership and permissions on `$CATALINA_HOME/conf/server.xml` care securely configured.

```bash
# cd $CATALINA_HOME/conf/
# find server.xml -follow -maxdepth 0 \( -perm /o+rwx,g+rwx,u+x -o ! -user tomcat_admin -o ! -group tomcat \) -ls
```

The above command should not produce any output.

## Remediation

Perform the following to restrict access to `server.xml`:

1. Set the ownership of the `$CATALINA_HOME/conf/server.xml` to `tomcat_admin:tomcat`.

```bash
# chown tomcat_admin:tomcat $CATALINA_HOME/conf/server.xml
```

2. Set the permissions of the `$CATALINA_HOME/conf/server.xml` to 600

```bash
# chmod 600 $CATALINA_HOME/conf/server.xml
```

## Default Value

The default permissions of the top-level directories are 600.

## References

None

## CIS Controls

None

## Profile

Level 1