SSL VPN using web and tunnel mode | Cookbook (2024)

In this example, you will allow remote users to access the corporate network using an SSL VPN, connecting either by web mode using a web browser or tunnel mode using FortiClient. This allows users to access network resources, such as the Internal Segmentation Firewall (ISFW) used in this example.

For users connecting via tunnel mode, traffic to the Internet will also flow through the FortiGate, to apply security scanning to this traffic.

During the connecting phase, the FortiGate will also verify that the remote user's antivirus software is installed and up-to-date.

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1. Creating a user and a user group

Go to User & Device User Definition. Create a local user account for a SSL VPN user.

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Go to User & Device > User Groups. Create a user group for SSL VPN users and add the new user account.

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2. Creating an SSL VPN portal for remote users

Go to VPN > SSL-VPN Portals. Edit the full-access portal. The full-access portal allows the use of tunnel mode and/or web mode.

Make sure Enable Split Tunneling is not selected, so that all Internet traffic will go through the FortiGate. If you do select Enable Split Tunneling, traffic not intended for the corporate network will not flow through the FortiGate or be subject to the corporate security profiles. You will also have to set your corporate network's address as the Routing Address.

Set Source IP Pools to use the default IP range SSLVPN_TUNNEL-ADDR1.

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Under Predefined Bookmarks, select create new to add a new bookmark. Bookmarks are used as links to internal network resources.

In the example, a bookmark is added to connect to a FortiGate being used as an ISFW, which can be accessed at https://192.168.200.111.

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3. Configuring the SSL VPN tunnel

Go to VPN > SSL-VPN Settings and set Listen on Interface(s) to wan1.

To avoid port conflicts, set Listen on Port to 10443. Set Restrict Access to Allow access from any host.

In the example, the Fortinet_Factory certificate is used as the Server Certificate. It is, however, recommended that you purchase a certificate for your domain and upload it for use with an SSL VPN.

Under Tunnel Mode Client Settings, set IP Ranges to use the default IP range SSLVPN_TUNNEL-ADDR1.

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Under Authentication/Portal Mapping, add the SSL VPN user group and map it to the full-access portal.

If necessary, map a portal for All Other Users/Groups.

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4. Adding an address for the local network

Go to Policy & Objects > Addresses.

Add the address for the local network. Set Type to IP/Netmark, Subnet/IP Range to the local subnet, and Interface to an internal port.

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5. Adding security policies for access to the internal network and Internet

Go to Policy & Objects > IPv4 Policy. Add a security policy allowing access to the internal network through the VPN tunnel interface. Set a policy name that will identify what this policy is used for (in the example, SSL-VPN-internal)

Set Incoming Interface to ssl.root and Outgoing Interface to the local network interface. Select Source and set Address to all and Source User to the SSL-VPN user group. Set Destination Address to the local network address, Service to ALL, and enable NAT.

Configure any remaining firewall and security options as desired.

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Add a second security policy allowing SSL VPN access to the Internet.

For this policy, Incoming Interface is set to ssl.root, Outgoing Interface is set to wan1, and Destination is set to all.

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6. Setting the FortiGate unit to verify users have current AntiVirus software

Go to the Dashboard. In the CLI Console widget, enter the following commands to enable the host to check for compliant AntiVirus software on the remote user's computer:

 config vpn ssl web portal edit full-access set host-check av end 

7. Results

The steps for connecting to the SSL VPN different depending on whether you are using a web browser or FortiClient.

Web browsers:

Using a supported Internet browser, connect to the SSL VPN web portal using the remote gateway configured in the SSL VPN settings (in the example, 172.20.121.46:10443)

Use the SSL VPN user's credentials to authenticate.

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The web portal appears.

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In this example, selecting the ISFW Bookmark allows you to connect to the ISFW FortiGate.

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To connect to the Internet, select Quick Connection. Select HTTP/HTTPS, then enter the URL and select Launch.

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The website will launch.

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You can also use the Quick Connection for other allowed types of traffic, such as SSH.

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An SSH connection will open in your browser, connecting to the requested Host.

Java is required for an SSH connection.

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On the FortiGate, go to Monitor > SSL-VPN Monitor. The user is connected to the VPN.

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FortiClient:

If you have not done so already, download FortiClient from www.forticlient.com.

Open the FortiClient Console and go to Remote Access. Add a new connection.

Set VPN Type to SSL VPN, set Remote Gateway to the IP of the listening FortiGate interface (in the example, 172.20.121.46). Select Customize Port and set it to 10443.

Select Add.

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Connect to the VPN using the SSL VPN user's credentials.

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You are able to connect to the VPN tunnel.

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On the FortiGate, go to Monitor > SSL-VPN Monitor. The user is connected to the VPN.

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SSL VPN using web and tunnel mode | Cookbook (2024)

FAQs

SSL VPN using web and tunnel mode | Cookbook? ›

When connected by Web Mode of SSL VPN FortiGate acts as a proxy server. This means the request from the SSL VPN web mode user will be sent to FortiGate and a separate request will be opened on FortiGate to the destination.

How does FortiGate act when using SSL VPN in web mode? ›

When connected by Web Mode of SSL VPN FortiGate acts as a proxy server. This means the request from the SSL VPN web mode user will be sent to FortiGate and a separate request will be opened on FortiGate to the destination.

What is SSL VPN web mode? ›

To enable SSL VPN web mode:

Web-only mode provides clientless network access using a web browser with built-in SSL encryption. Use this mode if you require: A clientless solution where all remote services are accessed through a web portal. Tight control over the contents of the web portal.

What is an SSL VPN tunnel? ›

SSL VPN Explained

A secure sockets layer VPN (SSL VPN) enables individual users to access an organization's network, client-server applications, and internal network utilities and directories without the need for specialized software.

What is the difference between SSL portal VPN and SSL tunnel VPN? ›

An SSL portal VPN allows a user to securely access multiple network services through a standard web browser. In contrast, an SSL tunnel VPN provides a secure tunnel from the web browser to the remote server. The primary distinction between these VPN types lies in the depth of access provided to the user.

What is the difference between web VPN and SSL VPN? ›

IPsec VPN securely interconnects entire networks (site-to-site VPN) OR remote users with a particular protected area such as a local network, application, or the cloud. SSL VPN creates a secure tunnel from the host's web browser to a particular application.

How to disable SSL VPN web mode in FortiGate? ›

From CLI, use the command 'config vpn ssl web portal' and edit the specific portal. In this example SSL VPN Mode portal. set tunnel-mode disable <----- Unset tunnel-mode. set web-mode disable <----- Unset web-mode.

What is the difference between tunnel mode and web mode? ›

Web Mode allows users to access network resources, such as the Internal Segmentation Firewall (or ISFW) used in this example. Users connecting via Tunnel Mode will be able to access the internet, but with all traffic passing through the FortiGate, protected by your FortiGate's security policies and profiles.

What are the two most common types of SSL VPNs? ›

There are two primary types of SSL VPNs: VPN portal and VPN tunnel. An SSL portal VPN enables one SSL VPN connection at a time to remote websites. Remote users access the SSL VPN gateway with their web browser after they have been authenticated through a method supported by the gateway.

How does web SSL work? ›

SSL uses port number 443, encrypting data exchanged between the browser and the server and authenticating the user. Therefore, when the communications between the web browser and server need to be secure, the browser automatically switches to SSL — that is, as long as the server has an SSL certificate installed.

What are the disadvantages of SSL VPN? ›

SSL VPN Cons
  • They have limited network-level access control.
  • They are vulnerable to some types of malware, such as spyware and Trojans, if browser vulnerabilities are exploited.
  • They allow limited network access and protections.
  • They can cause reduced performance when handling large volumes of data.
Mar 26, 2024

How does SSL tunneling work? ›

When you are running a Proxy Server (proxy) in the forward direction and a client requests an SSL connection to a secure server through the proxy, the proxy opens a connection to the secure server and copies data in both directions without intervening in the secure transaction.

Is SSL VPN better than IPSec? ›

SSL VPNs are generally used for secure web application access and are easier to use because they do not require dedicated VPN client software. IPsec VPNs are used for full network access, requiring a VPN client. They are considered more robust and secure for site-to-site connections.

What is the best port for SSL VPN? ›

By default, Mobile VPN with SSL operates on the port and protocol used for encrypted website traffic (HTTPS) to avoid being blocked. This is one of the main advantages of SSL VPN over other Mobile VPN options. We recommend that you choose TCP port 53, or UDP port 53 (DNS) to keep this advantage.

Is SSL VPN the same as OpenVPN? ›

Most SSL-based VPNs use the same network protocol as is used for secure website (HTTPS), while OpenVPN uses a custom format for encrypting and signing data traffic. This is the main reason why OpenVPN is listed as a separate VPN category.

Is Cisco AnyConnect an SSL VPN? ›

AnyConnect VPN as a client supports different types of tunnel protocols such as IKEv1, IKEv2, L2TP and SSL.

How does SSL VPN work in FortiGate? ›

The SSL VPN client encrypts all traffic from the remote client computer and sends it to the FortiGate unit through an SSL VPN tunnel over the HTTPS link between the user and the FortiGate unit.

Is SSL VPN site-to-site? ›

With site-to-site SSL VPN, you can provide access between internal networks over the internet using point-to-point encrypted tunnels. The tunnel endpoints act as either client or server. The client initiates the connection, and the server responds to client requests.

How do I view SSL VPN traffic in FortiGate? ›

To view the SSL-VPN monitor in the GUI:

Go Dashboard > Network. Hover over the SSL-VPN widget, and click Expand to Full Screen. The Duration and Connection Summary charts are displayed at the top of the monitor.

Does SSL VPN use HTTPS? ›

Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) is a protocol for encrypting HTTP traffic, such as connections between user devices and web servers. Websites that use SSL encryption have https:// in their URLs instead of http://.

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