Technical Tip: File Filter on WebFilter profile

Description

This article explains how to block file patterns on the Webfilter profile for inbound/outbound traffic.

Scope

FortiGate.

Solution

File Filter allows the Web Filter profile to block files passing through a FortiGate based on file type.

HTTP and FTP File Filtering is configurable in the Web Filter profile.

File Filtering in Web Filter profile is based on file type (file's meta data) only, and not on file size or file content.
Configure a DLP sensor to block files based on size or content, such as SSN numbers, credit card numbers, or regexp.

File filtering only works on proxy mode policies.

Configure the webfilter and enable the File Filter and select the file types are per the requirement and choose the correct protocol on which it is require to block, for which direction.

In the following example, three file filters are used in the Web Filter profile:

• Block PDFs from entering or leaving the network (filter1).
• Log the download of some graphics file-types via HTTP (filter2).
• Block EXE files from leaving to the network over FTP (filter3).

To configure a file-type-based web filter in the CLI:

config webfilter profile
    edit "webfilter-file-filter"
        config file-filter
            set status enable
            set log enable
            set scan-archive-contents enable
                config entries
                    edit "filter1"
                        set comment "Block PDF files"
                        set protocol http ftp
                        set action block
                        set direction any
                        set encryption any
                        set file-type "pdf"
                    next
                    edit "filter2"
                        set comment "Log graphics files"
                        set protocol http
                        set action log
                        set direction incoming
                        set encryption any
                        set file-type "jpeg" "png" "gif"
                    next
                    edit "filter3"
                         set comment "Block upload of EXE files"
                         set protocol ftp
                         set action block
                         set direction outgoing
                         set encryption any
                         set file-type "exe"
                    next
                end
        end
    next
end

After configuring file filters in the Web Filter profile, apply it to a firewall policy using the following command:

config firewall policy
    edit 1
        set name "client-to-internet"
        set srcintf "dmz"
        set dstintf "wan1"
        set srcaddr "all"
        set dstaddr "all"
        set action accept
        set schedule "always"
        set service "ALL"
        set utm-status enable
        set utm-inspection-mode proxy
        set logtraffic all
        set webfilter profile "webfilter-filefilter"
        set profile-protocol-options "protocol"
        set ssl-ssh-profile "protocols"
        set nat enable
    next
end

To configure a file-type-based web filter in the GUI:

1. Go to Security Profiles -> Web Filter
   
2. Select 'Create New' or select an existing profile and select 'Edit'.
   
   

3. Enable File Filter.
   
4. Enable Log and Scan Archived Contents.
   
5. In the File Filter table, click Create New.
   
6. Configure the filters:
   

In newer version 6.4.1 and above, the File Filter profile has been moved to its own profile:

Technical Tip: Configuring file filter (standalone profile)