Cookies must have http-only flag set.
Severity | Group ID | Group Title | Version | Rule ID | Date | STIG Version |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium | V-222933 | SRG-APP-000033-AS-000024 | TCAT-AS-000080 | SV-222933r1137578_rule | 2026-02-25 | 3 |
Description
It is possible to steal or manipulate web application session and cookies without having a secure cookie. Configuring the secure flag injects the setting into the response header.
The $CATALINA_BASE/conf/web.xml file controls how all applications handle cookies via the <cookie-config> element.
ℹ️ Check
From the Tomcat server console, run the following command:
sudo grep -i -B10 -A1 \/cookie-config $CATALINA_BASE/conf/web.xml
If the command returns no results or if the <http-only> element is not set to true, this is a finding.
EXAMPLE:
<session-config>
<session-timeout>15</session-timeout>
<cookie-config>
<http-only>true</http-only>
<secure>true</secure>
</cookie-config>
</session-config>
✔️ Fix
From the Tomcat server console as a privileged user:
edit the $CATALINA_BASE/conf/web.xml
If the cookie-config section does not exist it must be added. Add or modify the <http-only> setting and set to true.
EXAMPLE:
<session-config>
<session-timeout>15</session-timeout>
<cookie-config>
<http-only>true</http-only>
<secure>true</secure>
</cookie-config>
</session-config>