Re: [masq] [masq] [masq] FTP and firewalls

Glynn Clements (glynn@sensei.co.uk)
Fri, 29 Jan 1999 01:47:08 +0000 (GMT)


Chuck Gadd wrote:

> > resolve this problem? Something like a "smart" firewall, that records FTP
> > connections and only allows port 20 connections from already previously
> > established FTP connections.
>
> Maybe I missed something, but the module ip_masq_ftp.o does exactly
> this.

The ip_masq_ftp module handles the masquerading issues which are
associated with active-mode FTP. However, it doesn't do anything about
any input firewall rules.

> I am able to ftp from masqueraded workstations to outside ftp sites
> without setting PASV mode.

Then your firewall is less secure than it would be if it only
supported passive mode.

In short: active-mode FTP sucks. It requires that inbound TCP
connections be accepted. Passive mode FTP simply requires that
outbound TCP connections are permitted.

-- 
Glynn Clements <glynn@sensei.co.uk>
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