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g · NetworksCurated

OpenVPN fully implements IPv6

Summary

In January 2013 OpenVPN 2.3.0 appeared with full IPv6 support, as developer Gert Doering announced. A serious bug in the last beta version had delayed the release by a few days. Also new was the optional use of PolarSSL, which the Dutch government had already been using since 2011 as OpenVPN-NL.

Ideas

  • VPN software has to handle both IP protocols inside and outside the tunnel.
  • An alternative crypto library reduces dependence on OpenSSL.
  • A bug found shortly before release postponed the publication.

Insights

  • Authorities rely on free VPN software when they can review its code.
  • Late postponements because of bugs are better than faulty releases.

Facts

  • OpenVPN 2.3.0 also reworked the plugin API, for example for X.509 certificates as plugins.

References

Critique

  • The report gives no details on the configuration or limitations of the IPv6 support.

Remarks

  • PolarSSL has been called Mbed TLS since 2015.

Recommendations

  • Configure VPNs dual-stack so that no IPv6 traffic bypasses the tunnel.
  • For new installations, consider WireGuard as a leaner alternative to OpenVPN.

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