DefaultServlet directory listings parameter must be disabled.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-222954	TCAT-AS-000520	SV-222954r879587_rule		Low

Description
The DefaultServlet serves static resources as well as directory listings. It is declared globally in $CATALINA_BASE/conf/web.xml and by default is configured with the directory "listings" parameter set to disabled. If no welcome file is present and the "listings" setting is enabled, a directory listing is shown. Directory listings must be disabled.

STIG	Date
Apache Tomcat Application Server 9 Security Technical Implementation Guide	2023-09-13

Details

Check Text ( C-24626r426306_chk )
From the Tomcat server run the following OS command: sudo cat $CATALINA_BASE/conf/web.xml \|grep -i -A10 -B2 defaultservlet The above command will include ten lines after and two lines before the occurrence of "defaultservlet". Some systems may require that the user increase the after number (A10) in order to determine the "listings" param-value. If the "listings" param-value for the "DefaultServlet" servlet class does not = "false", this is a finding.

Check Text ( C-24626r426306_chk )

From the Tomcat server run the following OS command:

sudo cat $CATALINA_BASE/conf/web.xml |grep -i -A10 -B2 defaultservlet

The above command will include ten lines after and two lines before the occurrence of "defaultservlet". Some systems may require that the user increase the after number (A10) in order to determine the "listings" param-value.

If the "listings" param-value for the "DefaultServlet" servlet class does not = "false", this is a finding.

Fix Text (F-24615r426307_fix)
From the Tomcat server as a privileged user: Edit the $CATALINA_BASE/conf/web.xml file. Examine the elements within the element, if the "listings" element is "true" change the "listings" to read "false". sudo systemctl restart tomcat sudo systemctl daemon-reload