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    Setup DNS over TLS on pfSense 2.4.5

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved DHCP and DNS
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    • P
      phil80
      last edited by phil80

      I understand better now, I really did not think at it that way.
      If the external client insists on being served by the DNS server it is asking for, it will reject the DNS query returned by pfsense configured DNS server since it is coming from another server, breaking TLS.

      Well, in my case it is ok as I just don't want some clients to bypass the OpenDNS filter that is assigned to them by the DHCP server. If they are misconfigured, they will fail, that is ok for me. I also do not need a huge complexity to block all possibilities for them in the firewall, that part is ok in my case.

      By the way, in pfSense, when a client is assigned a static IP AND a specific DNS server through the DHCP server: if the client is setup to use a different DNS (windows 10, Firefox...), than the DNS address assigned by the DHCP server would be bypassed. I guess that is not a bug as the DHCP server is not supposed to be a firewall, right ? Sorry, but I am new to pfSense and only using it since a few months, but just loving it.

      Edit: and a last one:
      When port forwarding is activated, why does pfSense create those 2 allow rules ? Firewall rules are processed before the port forwarding maybe ? If it is the case, should I move the 4 bottom rules to the top, before the default pfSense allow rules for all the LAN ?
      Note that I am using a fully managed switch that does the filtering using ACL rules before the router and that some devices are isolated at that level before hitting the router.

      Let's suppose I have custom rules for the LAN instead of the two bottom ones in my below picture.
      Are the 4 DNS rules needed with the port forwarding ?
      Screenshot 2020-10-21 214130.jpg

      Thank you and best regards

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      • P
        phil80
        last edited by phil80

        Ok, I really need help
        When I moved the rules like above, keeping the allow all rules at the end, all my DNS traffic is blocked and I have no more internet access
        So, it seems like the DNS resolver is not working !

        Here's the setup in the DNS resolver:
        4d25218d-2202-4e08-ac79-82f2a599b8ce-image.png

        DNS in General tab are the google ones and the DNS override is unchecked there:
        Capture.JPG

        Firewall states:

        WAN	tcp	xxxxxxx:60087 -> 8.8.4.4:853	FIN_WAIT_2:FIN_WAIT_2	13 / 10	1 KiB / 4 KiB	
        WAN	tcp	xxxxxxx:46355 -> 8.8.8.8:853	FIN_WAIT_2:FIN_WAIT_2	13 / 10	1 KiB / 5 KiB
        

        This is without a custom DNS setup in the client, just quering pfSense as a DHCP server with above rules in firewall
        Why the allow rule for 127.0.0.1 is not working ?

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        • P
          phil80
          last edited by

          A final debug post: any help with the firewall rules please:

          They are just for debugging, I understand some rules are not useful:
          Capture.JPG

          • rule 1 in red: doesn't work, doesn't seem to be used, DNS queries fail. It was created by the port forward rule
          • rule 2: without it, all DNS queries fail. If I restrict rule 2 to LAN address as source, DNS queries fail also. That part is the most wired. Why DNS fails if I restrict source to the LAN ?

          And why the redirect to 127.0.0.1 is not working ?

          thank you

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          • johnpozJ
            johnpoz LAYER 8 Global Moderator
            last edited by johnpoz

            What do you have in your custom you have it cut off.

            If what you want to do is forward traffic that hits pfsense on 53. to pfsense (unbound).. then have unbound use dot..

            You have not shown your port forwards.. you can not redirect without port forwards.

            edit: here this took all of 30 seconds to setup.

            Set 1.1.1.1 in general, setup unbound to forward and use tls. Created my port forward. my pc using pfsense for dns..

            Tested that using encrypted dns to cloudflare..

            cloudflare.png

            An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools
            If you get confused: Listen to the Music Play
            Please don't Chat/PM me for help, unless mod related
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            • P
              phil80
              last edited by phil80

              Unbound custom options:

              # Block DNS over HTTPS (DOH) client requests so that they are redirected to pfSense
              server:
              local-zone: "use-application-dns.net" always_nxdomain
              local-zone: "cloudflare-dns.com" always_nxdomain
              local-zone: "dns.google" always_nxdomain
              local-zone: "dns.quad9.net" always_nxdomain
              local-zone: "dns9.quad9.net" always_nxdomain
              local-zone: "dns10.quad9.net" always_nxdomain
              local-zone: "dns.adguard.com" always_nxdomain
              local-zone: "dns-family.adguard.com" always_nxdomain
              

              Not used in my case, only for Firefox or eventual third party clients

              Port forward:
              Capture.JPG

              Firewall (same pic as in previous post):
              Capture.JPG

              I have it working, I just don't understand what's happening and that's my issue:

              • mobile devices (Android): Firewall states shows DNS query from Local IP -> 127.0.0.1:53
              • Windows machines (2): Firewall states show query from Local IP -> PfSense Local IP:53
              • redirects to DNS:853 appear in the form of WAN IP -> DNS IP:853

              -> So, rule 1 (red) created by port forward: not used by windows machine
              -> rule 2 (red) must allow all interfaces include WAN for port 853 and maybe ? only Pfsense local IP for :53
              Now, rule 3 (red) won't block DNS traffic calls (I added it to ensure my above rules are fine and understand how they work)

              Why the 127.0.0.1 is not enough always ? and why the firewall needs to allow all WAN and not only its self to query the DNS:853. I did not think that even the DNS resolver is subject to firewall rules

              edit: maybe I am understanding: Android devices are trying a direct DNS call which is being redirected by pfSense. The windows machines have the router set as a DNS server

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              • johnpozJ
                johnpoz LAYER 8 Global Moderator
                last edited by johnpoz

                @elodie80 said in Setup DNS over TLS on pfSense 2.4.5:

                Why the 127.0.0.1 is not enough always ?

                127.0.0.1 is never going to be a destination that would be tried by lan to get to.. Its a rule that allows your redirect to work. That is all, if you have some other rule that allows it, like an any rule its not even needed.

                What is the point of allowing clients to talk to pfsense on 853.. Are you wanting your clients to use dot to talk to unbound? WHY???

                Again your redirection to 853 to unbound is NEVER GOING TO WORK!!! Never!! TLS has to use a cert, the cert fqdn has to match... Did you setup a cert that is valid for dns.google for example - that your clients browser is going to trust?

                If your goal is to have clients use unbound, and for unbound to use tls to forward to X.. Just block anything trying to use doh or dot.. So they have to fall back to using local dns.. Because your never going to get a redirect on those to work.

                An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools
                If you get confused: Listen to the Music Play
                Please don't Chat/PM me for help, unless mod related
                SG-4860 24.11 | Lab VMs 2.8, 24.11

                P 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                • P
                  phil80 @johnpoz
                  last edited by phil80

                  Ok, thank you again
                  So I should just remove the 853 redirect port forwarding rules and add a rule to simply block all 853 from any to any like below ?

                  Capture.JPG

                  Capture2.JPG

                  This setup in fact works, you are right :-)
                  Are there still things I should fix in the rules ?
                  Really thank you for the support as it is not so evident when someone doesn't have a lot of knowledge in the DNS things

                  By the way, from time to time, I get this state:
                  capture2.jpg

                  Is it because of the google DNS ? pfSense states show only DNS server IP:853 entries, and all DNS:53 are from Local -> PfSense IP:53
                  So that's normal ?

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                  • P
                    phil80 @phil80
                    last edited by

                    I can confirm that using only google DNS makes that TLS assumption unknown despite it is properly using TLS over port 853

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                    • P
                      phil80
                      last edited by

                      A last feedback please on the rules I setup if they seem better ?
                      Thank you

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                      • johnpozJ
                        johnpoz LAYER 8 Global Moderator
                        last edited by

                        That can only know your using dns over tls, if you directly ask them... So yes using multiple NS could account for why it doesn't show you secure some times.

                        Yeah those rules look sane.

                        An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools
                        If you get confused: Listen to the Music Play
                        Please don't Chat/PM me for help, unless mod related
                        SG-4860 24.11 | Lab VMs 2.8, 24.11

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                        • P
                          phil80
                          last edited by

                          thank you a lot again

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                          • MikeV7896M
                            MikeV7896
                            last edited by

                            Just a note that you could simplify your 2 and 3 rules down to a single rule, if you wanted... use the Invert Match checkbox for the destination so pfSense will block all port 53 requests that are NOT to "LAN Address".

                            My example here is a floating rule, so it's using "This Firewall" to cover all interfaces it applies to, but works just as well.

                            destination-invert.png

                            The S in IOT stands for Security

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                            • johnpozJ
                              johnpoz LAYER 8 Global Moderator
                              last edited by

                              While I agree that ! rules can help trim a rule list down to less actual rules. I would just make sure that rules are working as you expect them to, and fully validate it functions as you desire.

                              There are some weird little things that can happen with ! rules and especially if you have vips, etc.

                              So unless your fully familiar with how bang rules operate, and how to validate they are working as expected. Its normally cleaner and easier to tell from a glance of the rules what exactly will or will not pass by using explicit rules.. Allow this, Block that.. etc.

                              An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools
                              If you get confused: Listen to the Music Play
                              Please don't Chat/PM me for help, unless mod related
                              SG-4860 24.11 | Lab VMs 2.8, 24.11

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                              • P
                                phil80
                                last edited by

                                I better understand with this example the use of "invert match"
                                In my case, I just followed the doc guide to create the redirect rule.
                                I do prefer explicit rules since I am not used at all to the firewall modifications

                                Thank you

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