# Cis Tomcat101 7.3

> Ensure className is set correctly in context.xml (Automated)

- Skill: `cyberstrikeus/cis-tomcat101-7-3` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add cyberstrikeus/cis-tomcat101-7-3`
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- 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-tomcat101-7-3

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# 7.3 Ensure className is set correctly in context.xml (Automated)

## Description

Ensure the `className` attribute is set to `AccessLogValve`. The `className` attribute determines the access log valve to be used for logging.

## Rationale

Some log valves are not suited for production and should not be used. Apache recommends `org.apache.catalina.valves.AccessLogValve`.

## Audit Procedure

Execute the following to ensure `className` is set properly:

```
# grep org.apache.catalina.valves.AccessLogValve
$CATALINA_BASE/webapps/<app_name>/META-INF/context.xml
```

## Remediation

Add the following statement into the `$CATALINA_BASE/webapps/<app_name>/META-INF/context.xml` file if it does not already exist.

```xml
<Valve
className="org.apache.catalina.valves.AccessLogValve"
directory="$CATALINA_HOME/logs/"
prefix="access_log"
fileDateFormat="yyyy-MM-dd.HH"
suffix=".log"
pattern="%h %t %H cookie:%{SESSIONID}c request:%{SESSIONID}r %m %U %s %q %r"
/>
```

## Default Value

Does not exist by default.

## References

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

## CIS Controls

| Controls Version | Control                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 | IG 1 | IG 2 | IG 3 |
| ---------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---- | ---- | ---- |
| v8               | 8.5 Collect Detailed Audit Logs<br>Configure detailed audit logging for enterprise assets containing sensitive data. Include event source, date, username, timestamp, source addresses, destination addresses, and other useful elements that could assist in a forensic investigation. |      | ●    | ●    |
| v7               | 6.3 Enable Detailed Logging<br>Enable system logging to include detailed information such as an event source, date, user, timestamp, source addresses, destination addresses, and other useful elements.                                                                                |      | ●    | ●    |

## Profile

Level 2