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jguerra
Staff
Staff
September 2, 2024

Troubleshooting Tip: SSL VPN 'permission denied' error while using DUO as Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

  • September 2, 2024
  • 2 replies
  • 9098 views
Description This article describes how to resolve SSL VPN authentication errors that occur before completing the DUO 2FA push.
Scope

FortiClient, DUO.

Solution

When using DUO with FortiClient, the VPN authentication might fail before the end user completes the DUO MFA push to their mobile or token device. This can result in a 'permission denied' error in FortiClient, followed by a DUO push notification that no longer functions.

 

It is possible to confirm specifically what is occurring by running an FNBAMD debug. Here are the commands to do that:

diagnose debug reset

diagnose debug application fnbamd -1

diagnose debug enable

To stop the debug:

 

diagnose debug disable

diagnose debug reset

 

Try to connect. The following is the expected output if the connection to the LDAP server is timing out:

2024-08-26 14:38:22 [594] __ldap_conn_timeout-Connction with LDAP:192.168.x.x timed out.
2024-08-26 14:38:22 [1642] __ldap_error-Ret 10, st = 3.
2024-08-26 14:38:22 [1679] __ldap_error-
2024-08-26 14:38:22 [1485] __ldap_tcps_close-closed.
2024-08-26 14:38:22 [1567] __ldap_conn_stop-Stop ldap conn timer.

 

This issue occurs because the 'ldapconntimeout' timer in the FortiGate is set too low, causing the authentication to expire before the DUO process finishes. To resolve this, increase the 'ldapconntimeout' timer (the default is 500 milliseconds) using the CLI command below:

 

config sys global
    set ldapconntimeout <in milliseconds>                             <- By default 500 milliseconds.
end

 

The value for 'ldapconntimeout' can be assigned between <1> to <300000>. After increasing the timer, it is advised to run several SSL VPN connection tests and fine-tune the timer value to best meet the needs of the VPN users.

 

Related article:
Technical Tip: Increase the LDAP query timeout 

2 replies

MaryBolano
Staff & Editor
Staff & Editor
September 2, 2024

Great, thank you @jguerra !

lpedraza
Staff
Staff
September 2, 2024

Well done @jguerra and @MaryBolano First KA of the month! I encourage you et al to keep up the good work!