Technical Tip: Recommended configuration for HTTPS Virtual Server with deep inspection

Description

This article describes the recommended configuration on the FortiGate for an HTTPS Virtual Server with deep inspection.

Note:

Some Low-end models do not support load balancing of secure protocols (HTTP, HTTPS, IMAPS, POP3S, SMTPS, and SSL). Check the documentation for the version & model in use:

• v6.2: Virtual server

• v6.4: Virtual server

• v7.0: Virtual server

• v7.2: Virtual server

• v7.4: Virtual server

• v7.6: Virtual server

• v8.0: Virtual server

Scope

FortiGate.

Solution

1. Import the server certificate. Go to System -> Certificates and select Create/Import -> Certificate.

Import certificate.

2. Configure the Virtual Server. Go to Policy & Objects -> Virtual Servers and select 'Create New'.

    

Virtual Server configuration.

Note:

In SSL-offloading, choose the imported certificate. Also, the default value for SSL Offloading is Client <-> FortiGate. Ensure that 'Full' is selected for access to virtual servers to work for HTTPS. If the internal server listens on HTTP (i.e. server type is HTTP), keep the default value Client <-> FortiGate. 

To better understand how these two methods work, see Technical Tip: Difference Between SSL Half and Full Offloading.

Use the following commands:

config firewall vip
    edit "Virtual-Server1"
        set ssl-mode ?
     half Client to FortiGate SSL.                          
     full Client to FortiGate and FortiGate to Server SSL.  
end

3. Configure the SSH/SSL profile.

Go to Security Profiles -> SSL/SSH Inspection and select 'Create New'.

Note:

'Inspect All Ports' should not be set as the port for this setup is already known and it may lead to a performance degradation.

SSL/SSH profile configuration.

4. Configure policy.

Go to Policy & Objects -> Firewall Policy and select 'Create New'.

Policy configuration.

Note:

Inspection mode must be set to proxy, otherwise the Virtual server will be filtered out in the 'Destination' field.

Starting with FortiOS v8.0.1, FortiGate supports upstream SSL for HTTPS virtual servers.
When enabled, FortiGate encrypts incoming HTTP traffic as HTTPS between the FortiGate and the backend HTTPS server, enhancing security for trusted internal environments, particularly when using resource-constrained devices.

Refer to document:
HTTP to HTTPS redirect for load balancing

Related articles:

• Technical Tip: Configure virtual server

• Technical Tip: Round-robin virtual server load balancing method

• Technical Tip: Configuring Virtual server with two real servers when central NAT is enabled