Secure Cloudflare Tunnels with vLANs and an Internal Firewall Before It’s Too Late! | Youtube

Cloudflare tunnels are useful but require VLAN segmentation, firewalls, and IDS/IPS for reliable protection.

IDEAS:⌗

  • Cloudflare tunnels provide easy external access but transfer security control to Cloudflare.
  • Privacy concerns arise because Cloudflare can see all traffic entering your network.
  • Security specialists recommend using multiple protection layers instead of a single solution.
  • A Cloudflare tunnel is similar to port forwarding but is managed by Cloudflare.
  • A segmented internal network provides more control over exposed services.
  • Creating VLANs for Cloudflare tunnels isolates incoming traffic from sensitive systems.
  • Internal firewalls with IDS and IPS add another protection layer.
  • Routing traffic through CrowdSec allows real-time threat analysis.
  • Cloudflare tunnels don’t transmit the original IP, which limits some security measures.
  • Blocking unwanted traffic at the Cloudflare level provides partial protection.
  • Using Mac VLAN makes a container appear as a separate device on the network.
  • VLAN segmentation prevents Cloudflare traffic from accessing protected internal networks.
  • Firewall rules provide detailed access control for Cloudflare tunnels.
  • Allowing Cloudflare tunnel traffic only to specific ports minimizes risks.
  • Next-generation firewalls with IDS and IPS protect against attacks.
  • Firewalls protect not only against Cloudflare tunnels but also against malware.
  • Cloudflare tunnels are useful for users with CGNAT who cannot use port forwarding.
  • Internal firewalls provide greater security control than Cloudflare.
  • VLAN and firewall settings limit potential damage if a tunnel is compromised.
  • Additional threat scanning increases overall network security.
  • Signature-based firewall detection protects against web attacks.
  • Restricting Cloudflare tunnels to a dedicated VLAN prevents their access to the entire network.
  • Deploying security tools in Docker simplifies management.
  • Portainer helps manage Docker but should be protected from external access.
  • A well-configured firewall reduces risks of various network threats.
  • A multi-layered security approach significantly reduces the likelihood of a breach.
  • Internal IDS/IPS supplements Cloudflare’s protection measures, enhancing security.
  • Properly configured firewall rules allow access without compromising infrastructure.
  • Network security should include multiple solutions rather than relying on a single tool.

INSIGHTS:⌗

  • Relying solely on Cloudflare tunnels means putting all security in the hands of one company.
  • Network segmentation prevents breaches from spreading to internal infrastructure.
  • Adding extra protection layers reduces risks without disrupting availability.
  • Firewalls and VLANs create an internal security perimeter around exposed services.
  • IDS and IPS provide threat detection beyond standard firewall rules.
  • Cloudflare tunnels simplify access but require careful security configuration.
  • Restricting the tunnel to specific VLANs prevents lateral movement by attackers.
  • Combining external and internal threat analysis improves network resilience.
  • Flexible firewall rules allow precise control over resource access.
  • The lack of IP forwarding from Cloudflare limits the capabilities of some defensive mechanisms.

QUOTES:⌗

  • “Cloudflare tunnels are cool technology, but you shouldn’t rely on just one layer of protection.”
  • “Cloudflare can see all traffic coming into your network.”
  • “A Cloudflare tunnel is similar to port forwarding, but control is completely handed over to Cloudflare.”
  • “We want to segment the internal network to create something like a DMZ.”
  • “Routing traffic through an internal firewall adds an additional layer of protection.”
  • “CrowdSec uses intelligent threat analysis to check incoming traffic.”
  • “We don’t see the original IP because Cloudflare doesn’t pass this information.”
  • “Mac VLAN makes a container a separate physical device on the network.”
  • “Firewall rules ensure that the Cloudflare tunnel can only access authorized resources.”
  • “Enabling IDS and IPS adds another layer of protection beyond Cloudflare.”

HABITS:⌗

  • Always use multiple layers of protection, not just one solution.
  • Regularly check and update firewall rules.
  • Segment your network using VLANs to isolate services.
  • Analyze IDS/IPS logs for suspicious activity.
  • Use next-generation firewalls for advanced protection.
  • Deploy security tools like CrowdSec for threat analysis.
  • Convert Docker commands into Compose files for easier management.
  • Assign dedicated VLANs for external services.
  • Regularly test firewall rules by checking access from outside.
  • Monitor Cloudflare logs for unexpected access attempts.

FACTS:⌗

  • Cloudflare tunnels provide free access to internal services without port forwarding.
  • Cloudflare doesn’t pass the original IP address of incoming traffic.
  • VLAN segmentation is a key method for network protection.
  • IDS analyzes traffic for potential threats.
  • IPS blocks detected threats before they penetrate.
  • Firewalls with IDS/IPS enhance network protection.
  • CrowdSec uses collective threat analysis to identify attacks.
  • Using Mac VLAN allows a container to appear as a separate device.
  • CGNAT prevents most users from doing port forwarding.
  • DMZ (demilitarized zone) isolates public services from the internal network.
  • Next-generation firewalls offer features beyond basic filtering.
  • Portainer is a web interface for managing Docker.
  • Cloudflare Zero Trust improves security through access control.

RESOURCES:⌗

  • Christian Lemper’s video on Cloudflare tunnel security issues.
  • Cloudflare Zero Trust.
  • CrowdSec for threat analysis.
  • Docker Compose for container management.
  • Portainer for Docker administration.
  • Sophos XG Firewall.
  • NordVPN for secure remote access.

RECOMMENDATIONS:⌗

  • Separate networks using VLANs to limit external access.
  • Use a next-generation firewall with IDS/IPS for protection.
  • Include CrowdSec or similar tools for threat analysis.
  • Restrict Cloudflare tunnel traffic to specific VLANs.
  • Configure firewall rules to allow only necessary traffic.
  • Convert Docker commands into Compose files for convenience.
  • Use Mac VLAN to isolate containerized services.
  • Regularly verify firewall rules by testing access from outside.
  • Monitor Cloudflare logs for suspicious activities.
  • Limit external connections to a minimum.