DefaultServlet directory listings parameter must be disabled.

Severity	Group ID	Group Title	Version	Rule ID	Date	STIG Version
low	V-222954	SRG-APP-000141-AS-000095	TCAT-AS-000520	SV-222954r960963_rule	2025-02-11	3

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.

ℹ️ Check
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.

ℹ️ Check

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
From the Tomcat server as a privileged user: Edit the $CATALINA_BASE/conf/web.xml file. Examine the <init-param> elements within the <Servletclass> element, if the "listings" <param-value>element is "true" change the "listings" <param-value> to read "false". sudo systemctl restart tomcat sudo systemctl daemon-reload