Port Protocol Protection uses deep packet inspection to make sure that a port is only used by the protocols that you allow on it. It addresses the limitations of firewall rules in being able to detect if a port is being used by prohibited protocols.
To enable and configure Port Protocol Protection policies, complete the steps in the following sections:
Enable Port Protocol Protection
- Open the General Firewall Configuration page (Config > Full Config > Box > Infrastructure Services).
- From the Configuration menu in the left navigation pane, select Application Detection.
- From the Enable Protocol Detection list, select yes. Note: When you enable Port Protocol Protection, you also enable Layer 7 Application Control.
- Click Send Changes and Activate.
Specify a Port Protocol Protection Policy
- Open the Forwarding Rules page (Config > Full Config > Box > your virtual server > Assigned Services > Firewall).
- In the left menu, select Services.
- Double-click the required service object. The Edit/Create Service Object window opens.
- Double-click the required protocol. The Service Entry Parameters window opens.
From the Action for prohibited Protocols list, select a Port Protocol Protection policy for handling prohibited services. You can select any of the following policies:
Policy Description No Protocol Protection Disable Port Protocol Protection. Report Report prohibited protocols in the access cache. Reset Send a TCP RST packet to terminate the session with the prohibited protocol. Drop Drop the traffic but keep the session with the prohibited protocol.
Select the Detection Policy
You can configure Port Protocol Protection to inspect and compare traffic against a list of prohibited or allowed protocols. From the Detection Policy list in the Service Entry Parameters window, you can select White Listing or Black Listing.
White Listing – Only allows the protocols that you specify. All other protocols are prohibited and will be handled according to the specified Port Protocol Protection policy.
- From the Detection Policy list, select White Listing.
- In the Whitelisted Protocols table, double-click the allowed protocols.
- Black Listing – Only prohibits the protocols that you specify. The selected protocols are handled according to the specified Port Protocol Protection policy. All other protocols are allowed.
- From the Detection Policy list, select Black Listing.
- In the Blacklisted Protocols table, double-click the prohibited protocols.
Port Protocol Protection in service object configuration:
Example: Port Protocol Protection Policy for the SSH Service
Figure 2 displays an example of a Port Protocol Protection Policy for the SSH service to avoid unwanted traffic that is forwarded by a firewall rule. This Port Protocol Protection Policy allows SSH Traffic but resets the session if any of the selected protocols are detected.
Example Port Protection Policy:
- After specifying the settings, don´t forget to click Send Changes and Activate.