# Cis Tomcat9 V120 9.3

> Disable deploy on startup of applications (Automated)

- Skill: `cyberstrikeus/cis-tomcat9-v120-9-3` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add cyberstrikeus/cis-tomcat9-v120-9-3`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/cyberstrikeus/cis-tomcat9-v120-9-3/raw
- Safety review: PASS (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector CAUTION)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: DevOps & Infra
- Author: cyberstrikeus (https://skillmd.com/u/cyberstrikeus)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/cyberstrikeus/cis-tomcat9-v120-9-3

---


# 9.3 Disable deploy on startup of applications (Automated)

## Description

Tomcat allows auto deployment of applications on startup. It is recommended that this capability be disabled.

## Rationale

This could allow malicious or untested applications to be deployed and should be disabled.

## Audit Procedure

Perform the following to ensure `deployOnStartup` is set to `false`.

```bash
$ grep "deployOnStartup" $CATALINA_HOME/conf/server.xml
```

## Remediation

In the `$CATALINA_HOME/conf/server.xml` file, change `deployOnStartup` to `false`.

```xml
<Host name="localhost" appBase="webapps"
      unpackWARs="true" autoDeploy="false"
      deployOnStartup="false">
```

## Default Value

`deployOnStartup` is set to `true`.

## References

1. https://tomcat.apache.org/tomcat-9.0-doc/deployer-howto.html#Deployment_on_Tomcat_startup
2. https://tomcat.apache.org/tomcat-9.0-doc/config/host.html#Automatic_Application_Deployment

## CIS Controls

| Controls Version | Control                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        | IG 1 | IG 2 | IG 3 |
| ---------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---- | ---- | ---- |
| v8               | 4 Secure Configuration of Enterprise Assets and Software<br>Establish and maintain the secure configuration of enterprise assets (end-user devices, including portable and mobile; network devices; non-computing/IoT devices; and servers) and software (operating systems and applications). |      |      |      |
| v7               | 5.1 Establish Secure Configurations<br>Maintain documented, standard security configuration standards for all authorized operating systems and software.                                                                                                                                       | ●    | ●    | ●    |

## Profile Applicability

- Level 2