Rule version TCAT-AS-000080 · STIG v3 · 2026-08-26
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.
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>
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>