How to create a DMZ for web server?
Hello,
What are the practical steps needed to place a web server in a DMZ? Currently our web servers are using SNAT with the ports forwarded which I do not think is very safe.
Thanks
Comments
-
A DMZ is just a separation from your trusted LAN.
Set up an Optional interface and move your server there - it will be a DMZ.
You will still need SNATs to allow access to the server from the Internet, wherever it is.
Why do you fell that the SNAT access is not secure?Best practice for a DMZ is that devices on trusted can access devices in a DMZ but devices in a DMZ can't access devices devices on trusted. While this often can not be fully implemented, it is best to limit as much as possible the DMZ to Trusted access.
1 -
Is there any reference or tutorial for the specific rules to do this?
0 -
The rules/policies are likely unique to each site - those which need to allow access from a specific DMZ device to resources on a trusted interface.
By default, devices on one routed interface can't be accessed from a different routed interface without a policy allowing it.
Define the DMZ interface as Optional or perhaps Custom.
See the "Interface Types" section, here:
About Network Modes and Interfaces
https://www.watchguard.com/help/docs/help-center/en-US/Content/en-US/Fireware/networksetup/net_setup_about_c.htmlConfigure a Custom Interface
https://www.watchguard.com/help/docs/help-center/en-US/Content/en-US/Fireware/networksetup/interface_custom_c.htmlConfigure Static NAT (SNAT)
https://www.watchguard.com/help/docs/help-center/en-US/Content/en-US/Fireware/nat/nat_static_config_about_c.html?Highlight=snatHere is an example using WSM Policy Manager. Currently there are no similar examples using the Web UI.
Set Up a Public Web Server Behind a Firebox — Configuration Example
https://www.watchguard.com/help/docs/help-center/en-US/Content/en-US/Fireware/configuration_examples/snat_web_server_config_example.html1 -
Thanks, got it.
I previously had a shared SMB file between my local main windows machine and a Linux public web server, so i could easily trade and backup files.
I would just mount the remote SMB file on windows on the Linux machine.
Now I have them on separated network segments, the Linux web server on a DMZ (optional) port segment.
I still want to be able to share files - for example to put some previous server backed up files from my windows host to the DMZ Linux server - is there any typical or recommended way to setup such a shared resource?
One option would be to enable both to access some cloud files - but i haven't yet explored how to do that on Linux (yet), so wondered if there was an easy (safe) way to do something similar locally.0 -
A SMB transfer from a device on Trusted to a device on optional does not violate the best practice concept for a DMZ.
The default Outgoing policy would allow this.
If the Outgoing policy has been disabled/removed, add a SMB packet filter From: Any-trusted or the IP addr(s) of devices which should be able to do transfers To: the IP addr of the DMZ device.
1 -
Many thanks, will try it!
0 -
Hmm,
the way it worked was that on Windows I just share the folder; no network action needed, just permissions. Then on Linux I do a remote mount. So it would seem like the Linux (DMZ) mount would have to initiate a connection to the windows (trusted) machine?0 -
Share a folder on the Linux machine, mount it on your Windows PC, and copy something to the shared folder from your Windows PC.
0 -
VERY related question:
We have a PC in the DMZ (SNATed from outside).
INTERNALLY, we have a policy that allows ONLY two PC's to talk and only one one port. DMZPC --> InternalPC (Trusted) : SpecificPort.
This works well.
HOWEVER - the DMZ PC also has a 2nd NIC. That is ON our internal (Trusted) network. Basically, so we can administer the PC from internally. Is this a huge hole in security with internal NIC on "OfficeNetworkIP's" and the NIC which is the SNATed NIC (own IP block) from outside?ie: Is it easy to hack from "external NIC" to "Internal NIC" on the same DMZ PC? Or am I breaking the DMZ?
0 -
Note: We would ONLY RDP from internal to the DMZ PC. So, maybe we simply create a 2nd policy that allows Trusted --> DMZ PC : RDP port (whatever that port is)?
0 -
You are breaking the DMZ since there is a 2nd path to the DMZ which does not go through the firewall.
Best to not have the 2nd NIC connected and add a policy to allow access to the DMZ via the firewall, as in your proposal.
0
