AES-256-CBC Encryption on OpenVPN for FeeNAS - Need a PORT NUMBER!

Hey All,

I'm setting up a VPN connection with PIA for a FreeNAS jail (Transmission) and I'm stuck on the AES-256 Encryption. I was able to get the AES-128-CBC cypher to work properly but it required changing the port number from 1194 tp 1196. I assume the AES-256-CBC cypher will require a different port number as well. 

I contacted PIA directly about this and they flat out refused to provide me with the information, saying that AES-256 was only available with the PIA client. This is a complete BS response, not only is it false but impossible.

Has anyone managed to set up AES-256-CBC on OpenVPN? If so what port did you use?

Any help with this will be greatly appreciated.

Comments

  • this is a common complaint for those of us who don't use the PIA app.

    PIA don't care.  They have a huge client base and are doing just fine apparently.

    if I put myself in their shoes I understand it's easier for them to provide support if everybody's using the PIA app.

    if you do find a port that works let us know!
  • It is not impossible. PIA implemented AES before it was adopted by OpenVPN, so they have a slightly different way of doing things.

    So far I have heard nothing that would help you. Sorry.
  • @OmniNegro, I see people repeating the "PIA did it individually", but have so far never seen any proof of that.

    For what its worth, I wouldn't trust an AES implementation that isn't open source. Even if the algorithm is well known, so much can go wrong when implementing crypto. I don't believe for a moment that PIA has added their own AES implementation to OpenVPN. I suspect they don't actually configure their servers to allow any of their high security settings, I just haven't felt the need to actually verify that.

    @mjk79: For now, you will have to live with AES128 or Blowfish.
  • edited February 2015
    There was once an "Old Changelogs" thread, but it seems to have been eaten by a grue. I will check Archive.org's wayback machine and see if I can find it and if it has the details. If that fails I will have to give up since I have no idea what else to check.

    I know I remember back years ago before OpenVPN had AES, PIA added it to their own client. I am thinking it would have been around .26 or .28 or so of the client.

    But I will shut up about how I remember it and see if I can find it. For the record, I do agree that it is pretty shitty to have no support nor even an explanation for why it will not work without the PIA client.

    If I fail to find it, I will resort to the lame tactic of namedropping everyone I know of that works for PIA to see if they get the notifications and may be able to help.
    *Edit* That was quick... https://web.archive.org/web/*/https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/forum/

    Nothing...
  • @meno
    @support
    @kyjelly
    @tardisonline

    I could probably think of several more. But if any one of you can help find either a solution or at least an explanation I would be grateful.

    Anyone know what happened to the old client thread or the old changelog thread?
  • https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/blog/2013/09/on-encryption/
    this blog post from September 2013 mentions the PIA app supporting new encryption soon.

    however, the idea that openvpn didn't support AES-256-CBC yet is completely absurd.  openvpn has nothing to do with what ciphers are available as it uses openssl for that.

    Indeed, a look at the openvpn change log https://community.openvpn.net/openvpn/wiki/ChangesInOpenvpn23 shows nothing to do with cipher squites

    However, an openssl change log shows that AES-256-CBC was available at least as early as 2010.  https://www.openssl.org/news/changelog.html
  • I came across one Macintouch article from June 2009 but cannot find a cached version:
    https://www.google.com/search?q=privateinternetaccess+aes+256&source=lnt&tbs=cdr:1,cd_min:2009,cd_max:2009&tbm=

    Sadly, when I asked PIA about updated configuration files they said they would only be updating the PIA client. Perhaps if more users asked by email we might see something.
  • mjk79 said:

    Has anyone managed to set up AES-256-CBC on OpenVPN? If so what port did you use?

    You can now connect to port 1197 (UDP) or 501 (TCP) to use AED-256-CBC encryption (you must download the corresponding certificate). See https://helpdesk.privateinternetaccess.com/hc/en-us/articles/225274288-Which-encryption-auth-settings-should-I-use-for-ports-on-your-gateways-
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