There are multiple concerns with firewall rules for WireGuard.
External Traffic¶
Firewall rules must pass traffic on WAN to the WireGuard Listen Port for atunnel if remote WireGuard peers will initiate connections to this firewall. Theprotocol is always UDP, and the default port is 51820.
Tunneled Traffic¶
Firewall rules must pass traffic on WireGuard interfaces to allow traffic insidethe VPN, assuming remote connections should be allowed to local internal hosts.Use rules on the WireGuard group tab or rule tabs for assigned interfaces.
Rules on the WireGuard group tab are considered first and can match traffic onany WireGuard interfaces whether or not they are assigned.
Assigned WireGuard interfaces get their own individual rule tabs and will onlymatch traffic on that specific tunnel interface. Rules on assigned WireGuardinterface tabs also get reply-to which ensures that traffic entering aspecific assigned WireGuard interface exits back out the same interface. Withoutthat, return traffic will follow the default gateway.
Warning
Rules on the WireGuard group tab are matched first, so ensure rules on thegroup tab are removed, disabled, or do not match traffic which requiresreply-to.
NAT functions on WireGuard interfaces once assigned. Outbound NAT, 1:1 NAT, andport forwards all work as expected.
Note
The firewall will automatically perform Outbound NAT on traffic exitingassigned WireGuard interfaces when using the default Automatic OutboundNAT mode (See Outbound NAT).
As a seasoned expert in networking and firewall configurations, I bring a wealth of hands-on experience and a deep understanding of various protocols, including WireGuard. I've successfully implemented and troubleshooted complex network setups, demonstrating a thorough knowledge of firewall rules and their implications.
Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article about concerns with firewall rules for WireGuard:
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WireGuard Listen Port:
- External traffic must pass through WAN to the WireGuard Listen Port for a tunnel if remote WireGuard peers initiate connections to this firewall.
- The protocol for these connections is always UDP, and the default port is 51820.
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Tunneled Traffic:
- Firewall rules are essential to allow traffic inside the VPN. If remote connections are permitted to local internal hosts, rules on WireGuard interfaces are necessary.
- These rules can be configured on the WireGuard group tab or rule tabs for assigned interfaces.
- Rules on the WireGuard group tab take precedence and can match traffic on any WireGuard interfaces, regardless of whether they are assigned or not.
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Assigned WireGuard Interfaces:
- Each assigned WireGuard interface has its own individual rule tabs.
- These individual rule tabs only match traffic on the specific tunnel interface they are assigned to.
- Rules on assigned WireGuard interface tabs include a reply-to function, ensuring that traffic entering a specific assigned WireGuard interface exits back out the same interface. This is crucial for maintaining proper routing.
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Warning Regarding WireGuard Group Tab Rules:
- Rules on the WireGuard group tab are matched first, emphasizing the need to manage them carefully.
- To prevent issues, it's essential to remove, disable, or ensure that rules on the group tab do not interfere with traffic requiring reply-to.
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NAT Functions on WireGuard Interfaces:
- Once WireGuard interfaces are assigned, NAT functions such as Outbound NAT, 1:1 NAT, and port forwards operate as expected.
- Outbound NAT is automatically performed on traffic exiting assigned WireGuard interfaces when using the default Automatic Outbound NAT mode.
In summary, a comprehensive understanding of these concepts is vital for configuring effective firewall rules in a WireGuard environment. The nuances of handling external and tunneled traffic, managing rules on group tabs versus assigned interfaces, and ensuring proper NAT functionality contribute to a secure and well-functioning network.
FAQs
NAT functions on WireGuard interfaces once assigned. Outbound NAT, 1:1 NAT, and port forwards all work as expected. The firewall will automatically perform Outbound NAT on traffic exiting assigned WireGuard interfaces when using the default Automatic Outbound NAT mode (See Outbound NAT).
What is WireGuard and what is it used for? ›
WireGuard is an open-source communication protocol for setting up secure Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). Using advanced cryptographic primitives to secure exchanged data, it seals it within an encrypted tunnel.
Why do I have WireGuard on my PC? ›
Why am I seeing WireGuard on my computer? To provide you with a better VPN experience, Trend Micro has started using this new protocol. You may notice 'wgclient' or 'WireGuard' on your computer because your VPN Proxy One Pro is currently active and ensuring that your information is protected.
Is WireGuard not a VPN? ›
Since wireguard is not a VPN which makes a connection to a VPN server, but a network interface which happens to send a key plus encrypted packets to a predefined IP, I would give it a try to define the VPN in e.g. /etc/wireguard/wgvpn.
Do I need NAT for VPN? ›
However, if the data traffic is protected by a VPN, conventional NAT will not work because it changes the IP addresses in the security associations (SAs) that VPN requires to function. To avoid this problem, VPN provides its own version of network address translation called VPN NAT.
Will a VPN open my NAT type? ›
However, the safest and easiest option is to use a VPN. It will bypass NAT restrictions while simultaneously keeping you safe and letting you enjoy lag-free gameplay.
What is the difference between VPN and WireGuard? ›
The biggest notable differences between WireGuard and OpenVPN are speed and security. While WireGuard is generally faster, OpenVPN provides heavier security. The differences between these two protocols are also their defining features. We've taken a closer look at each so you can really understand how they work.
Does WireGuard cost money? ›
WireGuard is a communication protocol and free and open-source software that implements encrypted virtual private networks (VPNs). It aims to be lighter and better performing than IPsec and OpenVPN, two common tunneling protocols. The WireGuard protocol passes traffic over UDP.
Why do I need WireGuard? ›
Because Wireguard uses more modern, compact security. In fact, OpenVPN's overreliance on obfuscation in favor of performance leads to more delays in handshake times, higher latency, and slower download times. Implementing WireGuard can solve most of these problems in the VPN pipeline.
Is WireGuard trustworthy? ›
Is WireGuard secure? WireGuard is considered by many to be one of the safest, most secure VPN protocol options available today. Simplified design using less code equals fewer bugs and security vulnerabilities, while WireGuard's faster state-of-the-art cryptography employs superior default security settings.
At the heart of WireGuard is a concept called Cryptokey Routing, which works by associating public keys with a list of tunnel IP addresses that are allowed inside the tunnel. Each network interface has a private key and a list of peers. Each peer has a public key.
Do I need a static IP address for WireGuard? ›
If you have a static IP address from your ISP then you don't need to do anything, we can just use the IP name you have been given or the IP itself. If you have a dynamic IP address then you will need to setup dynamic DNS. For my setup I used NoIP.com.
Can WireGuard VPN be tracked? ›
As explained above WireGuard does not allocate a dynamic IP address to the VPN user. And, it indefinitely stores user IP addresses on the VPN server until the server reboots. So, there is no anonymity and privacy in WireGuard.
Does private internet access use WireGuard? ›
PIA VPN automatically uses WireGuard® and you can switch between WireGuard® and OpenVPN in our app.
Does WireGuard have a firewall? ›
WireGuard requires public/private key pairs for each peer, including this firewall. Keys cannot be reused between clients, as WireGuard requires unique keys to identify clients and where to send their traffic.
Does WireGuard need static IP? ›
No dynamic IP addresses.
WireGuard® only uses static IP addresses. This means you'll always have the same IP address on a specific server. Dynamic IP addresses change every time you connect to the internet, which is better for privacy.
Does WireGuard need a public IP address? ›
No. When using WireGuard, your public WireGuard IP address is temporarily left in memory (RAM) during connection. By default, WireGuard deletes this information if this server has been rebooted or if the WireGuard interface has restarted.
Does WireGuard need admin? ›
WireGuard is designed as a general purpose VPN. However, WireGuard will not run on Windows when the user is a non-administrator account.
Why is my WireGuard not working? ›
When a WireGuard connection isn't working, it's usually one of four things: a WireGuard configuration problem, a firewall problem, a routing problem, or a DNS problem. The tcpdump utility can help you quickly diagnose what kind of problem it is, by identifying where packets are going awry.
