diff --git a/content/u/blog/securing-network-access-to-ipv6-docker-containers/contents.lr b/content/u/blog/securing-network-access-to-ipv6-docker-containers/contents.lr new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5b71571 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/u/blog/securing-network-access-to-ipv6-docker-containers/contents.lr @@ -0,0 +1,115 @@ +title: Securing network access to IPv6 docker containers +--- +pub_date: 2019-12-14 +--- +author: ungleich virtualisation team +--- +twitter_handle: ungleich +--- +_hidden: no +--- +_discoverable: yes +--- +abstract: +Configure your firewall correctly for IPv6 docker containers +--- +body: + +Like in any situation, we should secure our systems. In the legacy +IPv4 world, things are often not clear due to the use of NAT (network +address translation). Things are +much more transparent and also easier with IPv6. + +In this article we give easy to follow instructions on how to secure +your IPv6 based docker containers. + +## Docker containers with IPv6 + +IPv6 was made to restore direct connectivity, like the Internet was +designed to be in the first place. So instead of needing to "expose +ports" or to add "port forwarding", IPv6 addresses are generally +directly reachable. + +This is nice and general, but if we run containers that are not fully +secured, this is a security risk. + +For this reason we should limit access to our docker containers. + +## Network firewall with nftables + +You might have seen noticed that in the Linux world we are moving from +iptables to nftables. In case you need a refresher on the differences, +checkout the article about [iptables +vs. nftables](https://ungleich.ch/en-us/cms/blog/2018/08/18/iptables-vs-nftables/). + +## What to allow, what to filter? + +So what should be the general general rules for accessing our docker +containers? We have made a short list on what we think is a good way +to expose your docker containers: + +First, allow ping6 and various helper packets from icmp6. This way our +containers can react on debugging messages from the network and are +working in settings with different MTUs. The rule for this in nftables +looks as follows: + +``` +icmpv6 type { destination-unreachable, packet-too-big, + time-exceeded, parameter-problem, echo-request, + nd-router-advert, nd-neighbor-solicit, nd-neighbor-advert } accept + +``` + +Secondly, allow the tcp ports 22 (ssh), 80 (http) and 443 +(https). While http is unencrypted, we need to open it so that +letsencrypt certificate verifications can work. And we want to be +able to get letsencrypt certificates to secure communication with +https. In nftables, this reads as follows: + +``` +tcp dport { 22, 80, 443 } accept +``` + +And the rest? We will drop the rest. This is as simple as saying +`drop` in nftables. + +## Putting it all together + +So how does this look like in a complete picture? You can use the +below configuration directly on your machine, just replace +**2001:db8::/64** with your IPv6 docker network. + +``` +table ip6 filter { + chain forward { + type filter hook forward priority filter; policy accept; + ct state established,related accept + ip6 daddr 2001:db8::/64 jump to_docker_container + } + + chain to_docker_container { + icmpv6 type { destination-unreachable, packet-too-big, time-exceeded, parameter-problem, echo-request, nd-router-advert, nd-neighbor-solicit, nd-neighbor-advert } accept + tcp dport { 22, 80, 443 } accept + drop + } +} +``` + +You can save this snippet as nftables.conf and run `nft -f +nftables.conf` to apply it. Use `nftables list ruleset` to see your +active rules. + +## Proxying insecure applications + +With the above firewall you can run your insecure applications on any +port that is not 22, 80 or 443. And then you can use a side car or +proxy to expose it securely. If you use above firewall, we recommend +to run your insecure (http) containers on port 8080. This indicates it +is http (alike) and is also automatically blocked from the outside +world. + +## Learning more about this + +You can give above a direct try with a VM from +[IPv6onlyhosting](https://IPv6onlyhosting.com) or talk to others about +it on the [IPv6.Chat](https://IPv6.chat).