topic Re: Disable USB Port on Firewall in General Topics

Disable USB Port on Firewall

DennyChanditya — Thu, 21 Sep 2023 06:19:56 GMT

Hi,

Can we disable physical USB port on the Firewall?

I didn't find how to disable this usb interface on the firewall. or is there any documentation how to disable this?

Thanks,

Denny

Re: Disable USB Port on Firewall

reaper — Thu, 21 Sep 2023 11:49:12 GMT

I'm not entirely sure, but enabling FIPS-CC mode would be your most likely candidate. it does disable the console port for anything but output

https://docs.paloaltonetworks.com/pan-os/10-1/pan-os-admin/certifications/enable-fips-and-common-criteria-support/change-the-operational-mode-to-fips-cc-mode

https://docs.paloaltonetworks.com/pan-os/10-2/pan-os-admin/certifications/fips-cc-security-functions

Re: Disable USB Port on Firewall

kiwi — Thu, 21 Sep 2023 11:53:31 GMT

Hi @DennyChanditya ,

The option to disable USB is currently not available. There is an existing feature request with ID:11893.
Please reach out to your local SE to add your vote to this FR.

https://live.paloaltonetworks.com/t5/blogs/how-to-use-palo-alto-networks-new-feature-request/ba-p/409590

https://live.paloaltonetworks.com/t5/blogs/how-to-add-a-new-feature/ba-p/272149

Kind regards,

-Kim.

Re: Disable USB Port on Firewall

TomYoung — Thu, 21 Sep 2023 13:08:52 GMT

Hi @DennyChanditya ,

That is a great question! You probably want to disable it for compliance reasons in which case my thoughts are no help.

@reaper and @kiwi, Is it true that the USB port is used only for bootstrapping, and the NGFW only reads the USB "only when it is in factory default state or has all private data deleted"?

https://docs.paloaltonetworks.com/pan-os/9-1/pan-os-admin/firewall-administration/bootstrap-the-firewall/usb-flash-drive-support

https://docs.paloaltonetworks.com/pan-os/9-1/pan-os-admin/firewall-administration/bootstrap-the-firewall/prepare-a-usb-flash-drive-for-bootstrapping-a-firewall

If so, then the USB port cannot be accessed after the NGFW has booted? I like that from a security perspective.

Thanks,

Tom

Re: Disable USB Port on Firewall

OtakarKlier — Thu, 21 Sep 2023 20:01:57 GMT

Hello,

If this is for compliance, I would suggest using compensating physical controls, like locked cabinet doors, restricted access to room, etc. On a side note, its a great way to charge your phone if at the data center for a long time :).

Regards,