Firewall Configuration
Firewall Configuration
A robust firewall configuration is essential for the security of any MediaWiki installation. This article provides a comprehensive guide to configuring a firewall to protect your MediaWiki server. It assumes a basic understanding of networking concepts like IP addresses, ports, and firewall rules. This guide will cover common approaches and best practices. We will focus on `iptables`, a common firewall utility on Linux systems, but the principles apply more broadly.
Understanding the Need for a Firewall
A firewall acts as a barrier between your server and the outside world. It examines incoming and outgoing network traffic and blocks anything that doesn't meet your defined rules. Without a firewall, your server is vulnerable to various attacks, including unauthorized access, data breaches, and denial-of-service (DoS) attacks. Properly configured firewalls are a cornerstone of Server Security. Consider using a Web Application Firewall (WAF) in addition to a standard firewall for enhanced protection against web-specific attacks. See Web Application Firewall for more information.
Common Ports Used by MediaWiki
MediaWiki relies on several ports for its operation. It's critical to understand these to correctly configure your firewall.
| Port | Protocol | Description | Common Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 80 | TCP | HTTP (Web) | Standard web traffic for unencrypted connections. |
| 443 | TCP | HTTPS (Secure Web) | Secure web traffic for encrypted connections (strongly recommended). Requires SSL Certificate setup. |
| 22 | TCP | SSH | Remote server administration. Restrict access to trusted IP addresses. |
| 3306 | TCP | MySQL/MariaDB | Database communication. Typically only accessible from localhost. See Database Configuration. |
| 53 | UDP/TCP | DNS | Domain Name System. May be needed if the server also acts as a DNS server. |
Setting up a Basic `iptables` Firewall
This section outlines a basic `iptables` configuration. Adapt these rules to your specific network environment. It’s crucial to test these rules on a non-production environment first before applying them to a live server. Incorrect firewall rules can lock you out of your server.
Important Note: These commands should be run as root or with sudo. Always back up your existing `iptables` configuration before making changes.
1. Flush Existing Rules:
```bash iptables -F iptables -X iptables -Z ```
2. Set Default Policies:
```bash iptables -P INPUT DROP iptables -P FORWARD DROP iptables -P OUTPUT ACCEPT ```
This sets the default policy to drop all incoming and forwarded traffic, while allowing all outgoing traffic. This is a secure starting point.
3. Allow Established and Related Connections:
```bash iptables -A INPUT -m conntrack --ctstate RELATED,ESTABLISHED -j ACCEPT ```
This allows traffic related to existing connections, preventing issues with established connections being dropped. Refer to the Connection Tracking documentation.
4. Allow SSH Access (Restrict to Trusted IPs):
```bash iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 22 -s <Your IP Address> -j ACCEPT ```
Replace `<Your IP Address>` with the IP address from which you will administer the server. Consider using a VPN for added security instead of directly exposing SSH. SSH Security is vital.
5. Allow HTTP and HTTPS Access:
```bash iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 80 -j ACCEPT iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 443 -j ACCEPT ```
These rules allow access to the MediaWiki web interface.
6. Allow MySQL/MariaDB Access (Localhost Only):
```bash iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 3306 -s 127.0.0.1 -j ACCEPT ```
This ensures only the local machine can access the database. See Database Security for more details.
7. Save the Rules:
The method for saving `iptables` rules varies depending on your distribution. On Debian/Ubuntu:
```bash apt-get install iptables-persistent netfilter-persistent save ```
On CentOS/RHEL:
```bash service iptables save ```
Advanced Firewall Considerations
Beyond the basic configuration, consider these advanced aspects:
- Rate Limiting: Implement rate limiting to mitigate DoS attacks. This can be done using the `limit` module in `iptables`. See DoS Protection.
- Logging: Enable logging to monitor firewall activity and identify potential threats.
- Port Knocking: A more advanced technique to hide open ports. Port Knocking is a security through obscurity method.
- Intrusion Detection/Prevention Systems (IDS/IPS): Consider integrating an IDS/IPS for more comprehensive security. Intrusion Detection Systems can alert you to malicious activity.
- Fail2ban: Use Fail2ban to automatically block IP addresses that exhibit malicious behavior, such as repeated failed login attempts. Fail2ban Configuration is crucial.
Firewall Rule Examples in Table Format
Here are some example `iptables` rules in a table format for clarity:
| Rule | Description |
|---|---|
| `iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 8080 -j ACCEPT` | Allows access to a web server running on port 8080. |
| `iptables -A INPUT -s 192.168.1.0/24 -j ACCEPT` | Allows access from the entire 192.168.1.0/24 subnet. |
| `iptables -A INPUT -m string --string "malicious_pattern" --algo bm -j DROP` | Drops packets containing a specific string pattern (e.g., a known exploit signature). |
Testing Your Firewall
After configuring your firewall, it's essential to test it thoroughly. Use tools like `nmap` from a remote machine to scan for open ports. Ensure only the expected ports are open. Verify that you can still access your MediaWiki installation from allowed IP addresses. Regularly review your firewall logs for suspicious activity. Firewall Auditing is essential.
Resources
- iptables Documentation: The official iptables documentation.
- Linux Firewall Guide: A comprehensive guide to Linux firewalls.
- Server Hardening: General server security best practices.
Intel-Based Server Configurations
| Configuration | Specifications | Benchmark |
|---|---|---|
| Core i7-6700K/7700 Server | 64 GB DDR4, NVMe SSD 2 x 512 GB | CPU Benchmark: 8046 |
| Core i7-8700 Server | 64 GB DDR4, NVMe SSD 2x1 TB | CPU Benchmark: 13124 |
| Core i9-9900K Server | 128 GB DDR4, NVMe SSD 2 x 1 TB | CPU Benchmark: 49969 |
| Core i9-13900 Server (64GB) | 64 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe SSD | |
| Core i9-13900 Server (128GB) | 128 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe SSD | |
| Core i5-13500 Server (64GB) | 64 GB RAM, 2x500 GB NVMe SSD | |
| Core i5-13500 Server (128GB) | 128 GB RAM, 2x500 GB NVMe SSD | |
| Core i5-13500 Workstation | 64 GB DDR5 RAM, 2 NVMe SSD, NVIDIA RTX 4000 |
AMD-Based Server Configurations
| Configuration | Specifications | Benchmark |
|---|---|---|
| Ryzen 5 3600 Server | 64 GB RAM, 2x480 GB NVMe | CPU Benchmark: 17849 |
| Ryzen 7 7700 Server | 64 GB DDR5 RAM, 2x1 TB NVMe | CPU Benchmark: 35224 |
| Ryzen 9 5950X Server | 128 GB RAM, 2x4 TB NVMe | CPU Benchmark: 46045 |
| Ryzen 9 7950X Server | 128 GB DDR5 ECC, 2x2 TB NVMe | CPU Benchmark: 63561 |
| EPYC 7502P Server (128GB/1TB) | 128 GB RAM, 1 TB NVMe | CPU Benchmark: 48021 |
| EPYC 7502P Server (128GB/2TB) | 128 GB RAM, 2 TB NVMe | CPU Benchmark: 48021 |
| EPYC 7502P Server (128GB/4TB) | 128 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe | CPU Benchmark: 48021 |
| EPYC 7502P Server (256GB/1TB) | 256 GB RAM, 1 TB NVMe | CPU Benchmark: 48021 |
| EPYC 7502P Server (256GB/4TB) | 256 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe | CPU Benchmark: 48021 |
| EPYC 9454P Server | 256 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe |
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⚠️ *Note: All benchmark scores are approximate and may vary based on configuration. Server availability subject to stock.* ⚠️