Split CreateTemporaryAccess into smaller functions

# Conflicts:
#	client/proto/daemon.pb.go
#	client/ssh/proxy/proxy_test.go
#	client/wasm/cmd/main.go
#	shared/management/http/api/types.gen.go

.github/workflows/golang-test-darwin.yml

@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ jobs:
         run: git --no-pager diff --exit-code
 
       - name: Test
-        run: NETBIRD_STORE_ENGINE=${{ matrix.store }} CI=true go test -coverprofile=coverage.txt -tags=devcert -exec 'sudo --preserve-env=CI,NETBIRD_STORE_ENGINE' -timeout 5m -p 1 $(go list ./... | grep -v -e /management -e /signal -e /relay -e /proxy -e /combined)
+        run: NETBIRD_STORE_ENGINE=${{ matrix.store }} CI=true go test -coverprofile=coverage.txt -tags 'devcert privileged' -exec 'sudo --preserve-env=CI,NETBIRD_STORE_ENGINE' -timeout 5m -p 1 $(go list ./... | grep -v -e /management -e /signal -e /relay -e /proxy -e /combined -e /client/testutil/privileged)
 
       - name: Upload coverage reports to Codecov
         uses: codecov/codecov-action@fb8b3582c8e4def4969c97caa2f19720cb33a72f #v7.0.0

.github/workflows/golang-test-freebsd.yml

@@ -48,14 +48,14 @@ jobs:
             export PATH=$PATH:/usr/local/go/bin:$HOME/go/bin
             time go build -o netbird client/main.go
             # check all component except management, since we do not support management server on freebsd
-            time go test -timeout 1m -failfast ./base62/...
+            time go test -tags privileged -timeout 1m -failfast ./base62/...
             # NOTE: without -p1 `client/internal/dns` will fail because of `listen udp4 :33100: bind: address already in use`
-            time go test -timeout 8m -failfast -v -p 1 ./client/...
-            time go test -timeout 1m -failfast ./dns/...
-            time go test -timeout 1m -failfast ./encryption/...
-            time go test -timeout 1m -failfast ./formatter/...
-            time go test -timeout 1m -failfast ./client/iface/...
-            time go test -timeout 1m -failfast ./route/...
-            time go test -timeout 1m -failfast ./sharedsock/...
-            time go test -timeout 1m -failfast ./util/...
-            time go test -timeout 1m -failfast ./version/...
+            time go test -tags privileged -timeout 8m -failfast -v -p 1 ./client/...
+            time go test -tags privileged -timeout 1m -failfast ./dns/...
+            time go test -tags privileged -timeout 1m -failfast ./encryption/...
+            time go test -tags privileged -timeout 1m -failfast ./formatter/...
+            time go test -tags privileged -timeout 1m -failfast ./client/iface/...
+            time go test -tags privileged -timeout 1m -failfast ./route/...
+            time go test -tags privileged -timeout 1m -failfast ./sharedsock/...
+            time go test -tags privileged -timeout 1m -failfast ./util/...
+            time go test -tags privileged -timeout 1m -failfast ./version/...

.github/workflows/golang-test-linux.yml

@@ -158,7 +158,7 @@ jobs:
         run: git --no-pager diff --exit-code
 
       - name: Test
-        run: CGO_ENABLED=1 GOARCH=${{ matrix.arch }} CI=true go test -coverprofile=coverage.txt -tags devcert -exec 'sudo' -timeout 10m -p 1 $(go list ./... | grep -v -e /management -e /signal -e /relay -e /proxy -e /combined)
+        run: CGO_ENABLED=1 GOARCH=${{ matrix.arch }} CI=true go test -coverprofile=coverage.txt -tags devcert -timeout 10m -p 1 $(go list ./... | grep -v -e /management -e /signal -e /relay -e /proxy -e /combined)
 
       - name: Upload coverage reports to Codecov
         if: matrix.arch == 'amd64'
@@ -229,7 +229,7 @@ jobs:
             sh -c ' \
               apk update; apk add --no-cache \
                 ca-certificates iptables ip6tables dbus dbus-dev libpcap-dev build-base; \
-              go test -buildvcs=false -tags devcert -v -timeout 10m -p 1 $(go list -buildvcs=false ./... | grep -v -e /management -e /signal -e /relay -e /proxy -e /combined -e /client/ui -e /upload-server)
+              go test -buildvcs=false -tags "devcert privileged" -v -timeout 10m -p 1 $(go list -buildvcs=false ./... | grep -v -e /management -e /signal -e /relay -e /proxy -e /combined -e /client/ui -e /upload-server -e /client/testutil/privileged)
             '
 
   test_relay:

.github/workflows/golang-test-windows.yml

@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ jobs:
         run: |
           $packages = go list ./... | Where-Object { $_ -notmatch '/management' } | Where-Object { $_ -notmatch '/relay' } | Where-Object { $_ -notmatch '/signal' } | Where-Object { $_ -notmatch '/proxy' } | Where-Object { $_ -notmatch '/combined' }
           $goExe = "C:\hostedtoolcache\windows\go\${{ steps.go.outputs.go-version }}\x64\bin\go.exe"
-          $cmd = "$goExe test -tags=devcert -timeout 10m -p 1 $($packages -join ' ') > test-out.txt 2>&1"
+          $cmd = "$goExe test -tags `"devcert privileged`" -timeout 10m -p 1 $($packages -join ' ') > test-out.txt 2>&1"
           Set-Content -Path "${{ github.workspace }}\run-tests.cmd" -Value $cmd
 
       - name: test

Makefile

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-.PHONY: lint lint-all lint-install setup-hooks
+.PHONY: lint lint-all lint-install setup-hooks test-unit test-privileged
 GOLANGCI_LINT := $(shell pwd)/bin/golangci-lint
 
 # Install golangci-lint locally if needed
@@ -25,3 +25,15 @@ setup-hooks:
 	@git config core.hooksPath .githooks
 	@chmod +x .githooks/pre-push
 	@echo "✅ Git hooks configured! Pre-push will now run 'make lint'"
+
+# Host-safe unit tests: excludes the privileged-tagged tests (root / system-mutating).
+# Runs as a normal user with no sudo and leaves host networking untouched.
+test-unit:
+	@go test -tags devcert -timeout 10m ./...
+
+# Privileged suite: runs the `privileged`-tagged tests inside a --privileged
+# --cap-add=NET_ADMIN container via the ory/dockertest harness. Requires Docker.
+# Narrow the run with env vars, e.g.:
+#   PRIV_RUN=TestNftablesManager PRIV_PKGS=./client/firewall/nftables/... make test-privileged
+test-privileged:
+	@go test -tags 'devcert privileged' -timeout 30m -run TestRunPrivilegedSuiteInDocker -v ./client/testutil/privileged/...

client/cmd/service_privileged_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,196 @@
+//go:build privileged
+
+package cmd
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"fmt"
+	"os"
+	"runtime"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/kardianos/service"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+)
+
+const (
+	serviceStartTimeout = 10 * time.Second
+	serviceStopTimeout  = 5 * time.Second
+	statusPollInterval  = 500 * time.Millisecond
+)
+
+// waitForServiceStatus waits for service to reach expected status with timeout
+func waitForServiceStatus(expectedStatus service.Status, timeout time.Duration) (bool, error) {
+	cfg, err := newSVCConfig()
+	if err != nil {
+		return false, err
+	}
+
+	ctxSvc, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
+	defer cancel()
+
+	s, err := newSVC(newProgram(ctxSvc, cancel), cfg)
+	if err != nil {
+		return false, err
+	}
+
+	ctx, timeoutCancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), timeout)
+	defer timeoutCancel()
+
+	ticker := time.NewTicker(statusPollInterval)
+	defer ticker.Stop()
+
+	for {
+		select {
+		case <-ctx.Done():
+			return false, fmt.Errorf("timeout waiting for service status %v", expectedStatus)
+		case <-ticker.C:
+			status, err := s.Status()
+			if err != nil {
+				// Continue polling on transient errors
+				continue
+			}
+			if status == expectedStatus {
+				return true, nil
+			}
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// TestServiceLifecycle tests the complete service lifecycle
+func TestServiceLifecycle(t *testing.T) {
+	// TODO: Add support for Windows and macOS
+	if runtime.GOOS != "linux" && runtime.GOOS != "freebsd" {
+		t.Skipf("Skipping service lifecycle test on unsupported OS: %s", runtime.GOOS)
+	}
+
+	if os.Getenv("CONTAINER") == "true" {
+		t.Skip("Skipping service lifecycle test in container environment")
+	}
+
+	originalServiceName := serviceName
+	serviceName = "netbirdtest" + fmt.Sprintf("%d", time.Now().Unix())
+	defer func() {
+		serviceName = originalServiceName
+	}()
+
+	tempDir := t.TempDir()
+	configPath = fmt.Sprintf("%s/netbird-test-config.json", tempDir)
+	logLevel = "info"
+	daemonAddr = fmt.Sprintf("unix://%s/netbird-test.sock", tempDir)
+
+	// Ensure cleanup even if a subtest fails and Stop/Uninstall subtests don't run.
+	t.Cleanup(func() {
+		cfg, err := newSVCConfig()
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Errorf("cleanup: create service config: %v", err)
+			return
+		}
+		ctxSvc, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
+		defer cancel()
+		s, err := newSVC(newProgram(ctxSvc, cancel), cfg)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Errorf("cleanup: create service: %v", err)
+			return
+		}
+
+		// If the subtests already cleaned up, there's nothing to do.
+		if _, err := s.Status(); err != nil {
+			return
+		}
+
+		if err := s.Stop(); err != nil {
+			t.Errorf("cleanup: stop service: %v", err)
+		}
+		if err := s.Uninstall(); err != nil {
+			t.Errorf("cleanup: uninstall service: %v", err)
+		}
+	})
+
+	ctx := context.Background()
+
+	t.Run("Install", func(t *testing.T) {
+		installCmd.SetContext(ctx)
+		err := installCmd.RunE(installCmd, []string{})
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		cfg, err := newSVCConfig()
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		ctxSvc, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
+		defer cancel()
+
+		s, err := newSVC(newProgram(ctxSvc, cancel), cfg)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		status, err := s.Status()
+		assert.NoError(t, err)
+		assert.NotEqual(t, service.StatusUnknown, status)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("Start", func(t *testing.T) {
+		startCmd.SetContext(ctx)
+		err := startCmd.RunE(startCmd, []string{})
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		running, err := waitForServiceStatus(service.StatusRunning, serviceStartTimeout)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		assert.True(t, running)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("Restart", func(t *testing.T) {
+		restartCmd.SetContext(ctx)
+		err := restartCmd.RunE(restartCmd, []string{})
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		running, err := waitForServiceStatus(service.StatusRunning, serviceStartTimeout)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		assert.True(t, running)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("Reconfigure", func(t *testing.T) {
+		originalLogLevel := logLevel
+		logLevel = "debug"
+		defer func() {
+			logLevel = originalLogLevel
+		}()
+
+		reconfigureCmd.SetContext(ctx)
+		err := reconfigureCmd.RunE(reconfigureCmd, []string{})
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		running, err := waitForServiceStatus(service.StatusRunning, serviceStartTimeout)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		assert.True(t, running)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("Stop", func(t *testing.T) {
+		stopCmd.SetContext(ctx)
+		err := stopCmd.RunE(stopCmd, []string{})
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		stopped, err := waitForServiceStatus(service.StatusStopped, serviceStopTimeout)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		assert.True(t, stopped)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("Uninstall", func(t *testing.T) {
+		uninstallCmd.SetContext(ctx)
+		err := uninstallCmd.RunE(uninstallCmd, []string{})
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		cfg, err := newSVCConfig()
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		ctxSvc, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
+		defer cancel()
+
+		s, err := newSVC(newProgram(ctxSvc, cancel), cfg)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		_, err = s.Status()
+		assert.Error(t, err)
+	})
+}

client/cmd/service_test.go

@@ -1,16 +1,12 @@
 package cmd
 
 import (
-	"context"
-	"fmt"
 	"os"
 	"os/signal"
 	"runtime"
 	"syscall"
 	"testing"
-	"time"
 
-	"github.com/kardianos/service"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
 )
@@ -31,186 +27,6 @@ func TestMain(m *testing.M) {
 	os.Exit(m.Run())
 }
 
-const (
-	serviceStartTimeout = 10 * time.Second
-	serviceStopTimeout  = 5 * time.Second
-	statusPollInterval  = 500 * time.Millisecond
-)
-
-// waitForServiceStatus waits for service to reach expected status with timeout
-func waitForServiceStatus(expectedStatus service.Status, timeout time.Duration) (bool, error) {
-	cfg, err := newSVCConfig()
-	if err != nil {
-		return false, err
-	}
-
-	ctxSvc, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
-	defer cancel()
-
-	s, err := newSVC(newProgram(ctxSvc, cancel), cfg)
-	if err != nil {
-		return false, err
-	}
-
-	ctx, timeoutCancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), timeout)
-	defer timeoutCancel()
-
-	ticker := time.NewTicker(statusPollInterval)
-	defer ticker.Stop()
-
-	for {
-		select {
-		case <-ctx.Done():
-			return false, fmt.Errorf("timeout waiting for service status %v", expectedStatus)
-		case <-ticker.C:
-			status, err := s.Status()
-			if err != nil {
-				// Continue polling on transient errors
-				continue
-			}
-			if status == expectedStatus {
-				return true, nil
-			}
-		}
-	}
-}
-
-// TestServiceLifecycle tests the complete service lifecycle
-func TestServiceLifecycle(t *testing.T) {
-	// TODO: Add support for Windows and macOS
-	if runtime.GOOS != "linux" && runtime.GOOS != "freebsd" {
-		t.Skipf("Skipping service lifecycle test on unsupported OS: %s", runtime.GOOS)
-	}
-
-	if os.Getenv("CONTAINER") == "true" {
-		t.Skip("Skipping service lifecycle test in container environment")
-	}
-
-	originalServiceName := serviceName
-	serviceName = "netbirdtest" + fmt.Sprintf("%d", time.Now().Unix())
-	defer func() {
-		serviceName = originalServiceName
-	}()
-
-	tempDir := t.TempDir()
-	configPath = fmt.Sprintf("%s/netbird-test-config.json", tempDir)
-	logLevel = "info"
-	daemonAddr = fmt.Sprintf("unix://%s/netbird-test.sock", tempDir)
-
-	// Ensure cleanup even if a subtest fails and Stop/Uninstall subtests don't run.
-	t.Cleanup(func() {
-		cfg, err := newSVCConfig()
-		if err != nil {
-			t.Errorf("cleanup: create service config: %v", err)
-			return
-		}
-		ctxSvc, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
-		defer cancel()
-		s, err := newSVC(newProgram(ctxSvc, cancel), cfg)
-		if err != nil {
-			t.Errorf("cleanup: create service: %v", err)
-			return
-		}
-
-		// If the subtests already cleaned up, there's nothing to do.
-		if _, err := s.Status(); err != nil {
-			return
-		}
-
-		if err := s.Stop(); err != nil {
-			t.Errorf("cleanup: stop service: %v", err)
-		}
-		if err := s.Uninstall(); err != nil {
-			t.Errorf("cleanup: uninstall service: %v", err)
-		}
-	})
-
-	ctx := context.Background()
-
-	t.Run("Install", func(t *testing.T) {
-		installCmd.SetContext(ctx)
-		err := installCmd.RunE(installCmd, []string{})
-		require.NoError(t, err)
-
-		cfg, err := newSVCConfig()
-		require.NoError(t, err)
-
-		ctxSvc, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
-		defer cancel()
-
-		s, err := newSVC(newProgram(ctxSvc, cancel), cfg)
-		require.NoError(t, err)
-
-		status, err := s.Status()
-		assert.NoError(t, err)
-		assert.NotEqual(t, service.StatusUnknown, status)
-	})
-
-	t.Run("Start", func(t *testing.T) {
-		startCmd.SetContext(ctx)
-		err := startCmd.RunE(startCmd, []string{})
-		require.NoError(t, err)
-
-		running, err := waitForServiceStatus(service.StatusRunning, serviceStartTimeout)
-		require.NoError(t, err)
-		assert.True(t, running)
-	})
-
-	t.Run("Restart", func(t *testing.T) {
-		restartCmd.SetContext(ctx)
-		err := restartCmd.RunE(restartCmd, []string{})
-		require.NoError(t, err)
-
-		running, err := waitForServiceStatus(service.StatusRunning, serviceStartTimeout)
-		require.NoError(t, err)
-		assert.True(t, running)
-	})
-
-	t.Run("Reconfigure", func(t *testing.T) {
-		originalLogLevel := logLevel
-		logLevel = "debug"
-		defer func() {
-			logLevel = originalLogLevel
-		}()
-
-		reconfigureCmd.SetContext(ctx)
-		err := reconfigureCmd.RunE(reconfigureCmd, []string{})
-		require.NoError(t, err)
-
-		running, err := waitForServiceStatus(service.StatusRunning, serviceStartTimeout)
-		require.NoError(t, err)
-		assert.True(t, running)
-	})
-
-	t.Run("Stop", func(t *testing.T) {
-		stopCmd.SetContext(ctx)
-		err := stopCmd.RunE(stopCmd, []string{})
-		require.NoError(t, err)
-
-		stopped, err := waitForServiceStatus(service.StatusStopped, serviceStopTimeout)
-		require.NoError(t, err)
-		assert.True(t, stopped)
-	})
-
-	t.Run("Uninstall", func(t *testing.T) {
-		uninstallCmd.SetContext(ctx)
-		err := uninstallCmd.RunE(uninstallCmd, []string{})
-		require.NoError(t, err)
-
-		cfg, err := newSVCConfig()
-		require.NoError(t, err)
-
-		ctxSvc, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
-		defer cancel()
-
-		s, err := newSVC(newProgram(ctxSvc, cancel), cfg)
-		require.NoError(t, err)
-
-		_, err = s.Status()
-		assert.Error(t, err)
-	})
-}
-
 // TestServiceEnvVars tests environment variable parsing
 func TestServiceEnvVars(t *testing.T) {
 	tests := []struct {

client/cmd/up.go

@@ -401,6 +401,12 @@ func setupSetConfigReq(customDNSAddressConverted []byte, cmd *cobra.Command, pro
 	if cmd.Flag(serverSSHAllowedFlag).Changed {
 		req.ServerSSHAllowed = &serverSSHAllowed
 	}
+	if cmd.Flag(serverVNCAllowedFlag).Changed {
+		req.ServerVNCAllowed = &serverVNCAllowed
+	}
+	if cmd.Flag(disableVNCApprovalFlag).Changed {
+		req.DisableVNCApproval = &disableVNCApproval
+	}
 	if cmd.Flag(enableSSHRootFlag).Changed {
 		req.EnableSSHRoot = &enableSSHRoot
 	}
@@ -507,30 +513,14 @@ func setupConfig(customDNSAddressConverted []byte, cmd *cobra.Command, configFil
 	if cmd.Flag(serverSSHAllowedFlag).Changed {
 		ic.ServerSSHAllowed = &serverSSHAllowed
 	}
-
-	if cmd.Flag(enableSSHRootFlag).Changed {
-		ic.EnableSSHRoot = &enableSSHRoot
+	if cmd.Flag(serverVNCAllowedFlag).Changed {
+		ic.ServerVNCAllowed = &serverVNCAllowed
+	}
+	if cmd.Flag(disableVNCApprovalFlag).Changed {
+		ic.DisableVNCApproval = &disableVNCApproval
 	}
 
-	if cmd.Flag(enableSSHSFTPFlag).Changed {
-		ic.EnableSSHSFTP = &enableSSHSFTP
-	}
-
-	if cmd.Flag(enableSSHLocalPortForwardFlag).Changed {
-		ic.EnableSSHLocalPortForwarding = &enableSSHLocalPortForward
-	}
-
-	if cmd.Flag(enableSSHRemotePortForwardFlag).Changed {
-		ic.EnableSSHRemotePortForwarding = &enableSSHRemotePortForward
-	}
-
-	if cmd.Flag(disableSSHAuthFlag).Changed {
-		ic.DisableSSHAuth = &disableSSHAuth
-	}
-
-	if cmd.Flag(sshJWTCacheTTLFlag).Changed {
-		ic.SSHJWTCacheTTL = &sshJWTCacheTTL
-	}
+	applySSHFlagsToConfig(cmd, &ic)
 
 	if cmd.Flag(interfaceNameFlag).Changed {
 		if err := parseInterfaceName(interfaceName); err != nil {
@@ -606,6 +596,49 @@ func setupConfig(customDNSAddressConverted []byte, cmd *cobra.Command, configFil
 	return &ic, nil
 }
 
+func applySSHFlagsToConfig(cmd *cobra.Command, ic *profilemanager.ConfigInput) {
+	if cmd.Flag(enableSSHRootFlag).Changed {
+		ic.EnableSSHRoot = &enableSSHRoot
+	}
+	if cmd.Flag(enableSSHSFTPFlag).Changed {
+		ic.EnableSSHSFTP = &enableSSHSFTP
+	}
+	if cmd.Flag(enableSSHLocalPortForwardFlag).Changed {
+		ic.EnableSSHLocalPortForwarding = &enableSSHLocalPortForward
+	}
+	if cmd.Flag(enableSSHRemotePortForwardFlag).Changed {
+		ic.EnableSSHRemotePortForwarding = &enableSSHRemotePortForward
+	}
+	if cmd.Flag(disableSSHAuthFlag).Changed {
+		ic.DisableSSHAuth = &disableSSHAuth
+	}
+	if cmd.Flag(sshJWTCacheTTLFlag).Changed {
+		ic.SSHJWTCacheTTL = &sshJWTCacheTTL
+	}
+}
+
+func applySSHFlagsToLogin(cmd *cobra.Command, req *proto.LoginRequest) {
+	if cmd.Flag(enableSSHRootFlag).Changed {
+		req.EnableSSHRoot = &enableSSHRoot
+	}
+	if cmd.Flag(enableSSHSFTPFlag).Changed {
+		req.EnableSSHSFTP = &enableSSHSFTP
+	}
+	if cmd.Flag(enableSSHLocalPortForwardFlag).Changed {
+		req.EnableSSHLocalPortForwarding = &enableSSHLocalPortForward
+	}
+	if cmd.Flag(enableSSHRemotePortForwardFlag).Changed {
+		req.EnableSSHRemotePortForwarding = &enableSSHRemotePortForward
+	}
+	if cmd.Flag(disableSSHAuthFlag).Changed {
+		req.DisableSSHAuth = &disableSSHAuth
+	}
+	if cmd.Flag(sshJWTCacheTTLFlag).Changed {
+		ttl := int32(sshJWTCacheTTL)
+		req.SshJWTCacheTTL = &ttl
+	}
+}
+
 func setupLoginRequest(providedSetupKey string, customDNSAddressConverted []byte, cmd *cobra.Command) (*proto.LoginRequest, error) {
 	loginRequest := proto.LoginRequest{
 		SetupKey:            providedSetupKey,
@@ -635,31 +668,14 @@ func setupLoginRequest(providedSetupKey string, customDNSAddressConverted []byte
 	if cmd.Flag(serverSSHAllowedFlag).Changed {
 		loginRequest.ServerSSHAllowed = &serverSSHAllowed
 	}
-
-	if cmd.Flag(enableSSHRootFlag).Changed {
-		loginRequest.EnableSSHRoot = &enableSSHRoot
+	if cmd.Flag(serverVNCAllowedFlag).Changed {
+		loginRequest.ServerVNCAllowed = &serverVNCAllowed
+	}
+	if cmd.Flag(disableVNCApprovalFlag).Changed {
+		loginRequest.DisableVNCApproval = &disableVNCApproval
 	}
 
-	if cmd.Flag(enableSSHSFTPFlag).Changed {
-		loginRequest.EnableSSHSFTP = &enableSSHSFTP
-	}
-
-	if cmd.Flag(enableSSHLocalPortForwardFlag).Changed {
-		loginRequest.EnableSSHLocalPortForwarding = &enableSSHLocalPortForward
-	}
-
-	if cmd.Flag(enableSSHRemotePortForwardFlag).Changed {
-		loginRequest.EnableSSHRemotePortForwarding = &enableSSHRemotePortForward
-	}
-
-	if cmd.Flag(disableSSHAuthFlag).Changed {
-		loginRequest.DisableSSHAuth = &disableSSHAuth
-	}
-
-	if cmd.Flag(sshJWTCacheTTLFlag).Changed {
-		sshJWTCacheTTL32 := int32(sshJWTCacheTTL)
-		loginRequest.SshJWTCacheTTL = &sshJWTCacheTTL32
-	}
+	applySSHFlagsToLogin(cmd, &loginRequest)
 
 	if cmd.Flag(disableAutoConnectFlag).Changed {
 		loginRequest.DisableAutoConnect = &autoConnectDisabled

client/cmd/vnc_agent.go

@@ -0,0 +1,100 @@
+//go:build windows || (darwin && !ios)
+
+package cmd
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"net"
+	"net/netip"
+	"os"
+
+	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
+	"github.com/spf13/cobra"
+
+	vncserver "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/vnc/server"
+)
+
+var (
+	vncAgentSocket    string
+	vncAgentTargetUID uint32
+)
+
+func init() {
+	vncAgentCmd.Flags().StringVar(&vncAgentSocket, "socket", "", "Unix-domain socket path the agent listens on (required)")
+	vncAgentCmd.Flags().Uint32Var(&vncAgentTargetUID, "target-uid", 0, "uid the agent should drop privileges to before listening (darwin only; 0 = stay as current uid)")
+	rootCmd.AddCommand(vncAgentCmd)
+}
+
+// vncAgentCmd runs a VNC server inside the user's interactive session,
+// listening on a Unix-domain socket. The NetBird service spawns it: on
+// Windows via CreateProcessAsUser into the console session, on macOS via
+// launchctl asuser into the Aqua session.
+var vncAgentCmd = &cobra.Command{
+	Use:    "vnc-agent",
+	Short:  "Run VNC capture agent (internal, spawned by service)",
+	Hidden: true,
+	RunE: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
+		log.SetReportCaller(true)
+		log.SetFormatter(&log.JSONFormatter{})
+		log.SetOutput(os.Stderr)
+
+		if vncAgentSocket == "" {
+			return fmt.Errorf("--socket is required")
+		}
+
+		token := os.Getenv("NB_VNC_AGENT_TOKEN")
+		if token == "" {
+			return fmt.Errorf("NB_VNC_AGENT_TOKEN not set; agent requires a token from the service")
+		}
+		// Purge the token from env so it doesn't leak via /proc/<pid>/environ.
+		if err := os.Unsetenv("NB_VNC_AGENT_TOKEN"); err != nil {
+			log.Debugf("unset NB_VNC_AGENT_TOKEN: %v", err)
+		}
+
+		// Drop root privileges to the target console user BEFORE creating
+		// the listening socket: keeps a post-auth bug in the encoder /
+		// input / capture paths confined to the user's own privileges
+		// rather than escalating to host root, and makes the daemon's
+		// LOCAL_PEERCRED check see the right uid. No-op on Windows
+		// (both processes run as SYSTEM) and when --target-uid is 0.
+		if vncAgentTargetUID != 0 {
+			if err := dropAgentPrivileges(vncAgentTargetUID); err != nil {
+				return fmt.Errorf("drop privileges to uid %d: %w", vncAgentTargetUID, err)
+			}
+		}
+
+		if err := os.Remove(vncAgentSocket); err != nil && !os.IsNotExist(err) {
+			log.Debugf("remove stale socket %s: %v", vncAgentSocket, err)
+		}
+		ln, err := net.Listen("unix", vncAgentSocket)
+		if err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("listen on %s: %w", vncAgentSocket, err)
+		}
+		if err := os.Chmod(vncAgentSocket, 0o600); err != nil {
+			log.Debugf("chmod %s: %v", vncAgentSocket, err)
+		}
+
+		capturer, injector, err := newAgentResources()
+		if err != nil {
+			_ = ln.Close()
+			return err
+		}
+		srv := vncserver.New(vncserver.Config{
+			Capturer:      capturer,
+			Injector:      injector,
+			DisableAuth:   true,
+			AgentTokenHex: token,
+			Listener:      ln,
+		})
+
+		if err := srv.Start(cmd.Context(), netip.AddrPort{}, netip.Prefix{}); err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("start vnc server: %w", err)
+		}
+		log.Infof("vnc-agent listening on %s, ready", vncAgentSocket)
+
+		<-cmd.Context().Done()
+		log.Info("vnc-agent context cancelled, shutting down")
+		return srv.Stop()
+	},
+	SilenceUsage: true,
+}

client/cmd/vnc_agent_darwin.go

@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+//go:build darwin && !ios
+
+package cmd
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+
+	vncserver "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/vnc/server"
+)
+
+func newAgentResources() (vncserver.ScreenCapturer, vncserver.InputInjector, error) {
+	capturer := vncserver.NewMacPoller()
+	injector, err := vncserver.NewMacInputInjector()
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("macOS input injector: %w", err)
+	}
+	return capturer, injector, nil
+}

client/cmd/vnc_agent_dropprivs_darwin.go

@@ -0,0 +1,74 @@
+//go:build darwin && !ios
+
+package cmd
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"os"
+	"os/user"
+	"strconv"
+	"syscall"
+)
+
+// dropAgentPrivileges drops the vnc-agent process from root (its
+// launchctl-asuser-inherited starting uid) to the target console user
+// before any other initialisation runs. Without this the agent runs as
+// root for the lifetime of the session; any post-auth memory-safety
+// issue in the capture/input/encode paths would then be a root-level
+// RCE on the host instead of a user-level one. Also makes the daemon's
+// LOCAL_PEERCRED check correctly identify the agent as the console user,
+// not as root.
+//
+// Returns an error when the agent is running as a non-root uid that
+// differs from targetUID: non-root can only setuid to itself, so a
+// mismatch here means the spawn went to the wrong session.
+func dropAgentPrivileges(targetUID uint32) error {
+	if targetUID == 0 {
+		return fmt.Errorf("refusing to keep agent running as root (target uid 0)")
+	}
+	cur := uint32(os.Getuid())
+	if cur == targetUID {
+		return nil
+	}
+	if cur != 0 {
+		return fmt.Errorf("agent uid %d does not match expected %d and we lack root to fix it", cur, targetUID)
+	}
+	// Resolve the target user's real primary group rather than reusing
+	// targetUID as the gid: a user's primary group on macOS is typically
+	// staff(20), not gid==uid. Fail closed if the lookup fails.
+	targetGID, err := primaryGroupID(targetUID)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	// Drop supplementary groups first: setgid alone doesn't touch the
+	// auxiliary group list, leaving root's groups attached would let the
+	// dropped process write to root-only group-writable files.
+	if err := syscall.Setgroups([]int{}); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("setgroups([]): %w", err)
+	}
+	if err := syscall.Setgid(targetGID); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("setgid(%d): %w", targetGID, err)
+	}
+	if err := syscall.Setuid(int(targetUID)); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("setuid(%d): %w", targetUID, err)
+	}
+	if uint32(os.Getuid()) != targetUID || uint32(os.Geteuid()) != targetUID {
+		return fmt.Errorf("setuid verification: uid=%d euid=%d, expected %d", os.Getuid(), os.Geteuid(), targetUID)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// primaryGroupID resolves the real primary group id of the user with the
+// given uid. Fails closed: a lookup or parse error returns an error so the
+// caller never falls back to using uid as the gid.
+func primaryGroupID(targetUID uint32) (int, error) {
+	u, err := user.LookupId(strconv.Itoa(int(targetUID)))
+	if err != nil {
+		return 0, fmt.Errorf("look up uid %d: %w", targetUID, err)
+	}
+	gid, err := strconv.Atoi(u.Gid)
+	if err != nil {
+		return 0, fmt.Errorf("parse gid %q for uid %d: %w", u.Gid, targetUID, err)
+	}
+	return gid, nil
+}

client/cmd/vnc_agent_dropprivs_darwin_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,55 @@
+//go:build darwin && !ios
+
+package cmd
+
+import (
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+// TestDropAgentPrivileges_RefusesRootTarget locks in the contract that
+// dropAgentPrivileges must never be a no-op when asked to keep the
+// agent as root (target uid 0). A future caller that passes 0 by
+// mistake would otherwise leave the post-auth attack surface running
+// with full root privileges.
+func TestDropAgentPrivileges_RefusesRootTarget(t *testing.T) {
+	err := dropAgentPrivileges(0)
+	if err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("expected refusal for target uid 0, got nil")
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "root") {
+		t.Fatalf("error should mention root, got: %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+// TestDropAgentPrivileges_NoOpWhenAlreadyTarget covers the dev path
+// where the agent is launched by hand as the target user (no root
+// available, no setuid needed). The helper must succeed silently
+// instead of trying (and failing) a setuid to its current uid.
+func TestDropAgentPrivileges_NoOpWhenAlreadyTarget(t *testing.T) {
+	// Skip when running as root: the early-return path we want to
+	// cover only fires when current uid == target uid.
+	uid := currentUIDForTest()
+	if uid == 0 {
+		t.Skip("test must not run as root; cannot exercise the no-op early-return")
+	}
+	if err := dropAgentPrivileges(uid); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("expected no-op when current uid == target, got: %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+// TestDropAgentPrivileges_RefusesMismatchedNonRoot guards the "non-root
+// caller tries to setuid to a different uid" path: setuid would fail
+// with EPERM anyway, but the helper should surface a clear error
+// before issuing the syscall so a misconfigured spawn (wrong --target-uid
+// flag) is debuggable.
+func TestDropAgentPrivileges_RefusesMismatchedNonRoot(t *testing.T) {
+	uid := currentUIDForTest()
+	if uid == 0 {
+		t.Skip("test must not run as root; covered case requires non-root caller")
+	}
+	err := dropAgentPrivileges(uid + 1)
+	if err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("expected refusal when non-root caller asks to setuid elsewhere")
+	}
+}

client/cmd/vnc_agent_dropprivs_testhelpers_darwin.go

@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+//go:build darwin && !ios
+
+package cmd
+
+import "os"
+
+// currentUIDForTest exposes os.Getuid for the darwin dropprivs tests
+// without leaking an os import into the test file itself.
+func currentUIDForTest() uint32 {
+	return uint32(os.Getuid())
+}

client/cmd/vnc_agent_dropprivs_windows.go

@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+//go:build windows
+
+package cmd
+
+// dropAgentPrivileges is a no-op on Windows: the agent and the daemon
+// both run as SYSTEM (the daemon spawns the agent into the interactive
+// session via CreateProcessAsUser with an impersonation token, but the
+// resulting process still runs under SYSTEM, not under the user's
+// account). The Windows path relies on the DACL-restricted socket
+// directory, the unpredictable per-spawn socket name, the listen-readiness
+// gate, and the per-spawn token for integrity instead.
+func dropAgentPrivileges(_ uint32) error {
+	return nil
+}

client/cmd/vnc_agent_windows.go

@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+//go:build windows
+
+package cmd
+
+import (
+	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
+
+	vncserver "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/vnc/server"
+)
+
+func newAgentResources() (vncserver.ScreenCapturer, vncserver.InputInjector, error) {
+	sessionID := vncserver.GetCurrentSessionID()
+	log.Infof("VNC agent running in Windows session %d", sessionID)
+	return vncserver.NewDesktopCapturer(), vncserver.NewWindowsInputInjector(), nil
+}

client/cmd/vnc_flags.go

@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+package cmd
+
+const (
+	serverVNCAllowedFlag   = "allow-server-vnc"
+	disableVNCApprovalFlag = "disable-vnc-approval"
+)
+
+var (
+	serverVNCAllowed   bool
+	disableVNCApproval bool
+)
+
+func init() {
+	upCmd.PersistentFlags().BoolVar(&serverVNCAllowed, serverVNCAllowedFlag, false, "Allow embedded VNC server on peer")
+	upCmd.PersistentFlags().BoolVar(&disableVNCApproval, disableVNCApprovalFlag, false, "Disable per-connection user approval prompts for the embedded VNC server")
+}

client/configs/configs.go

@@ -6,19 +6,30 @@ import (
 	"runtime"
 )
 
-var StateDir string
+var (
+	// StateDir holds persistent state (config, profiles, install metadata).
+	StateDir string
+	// RuntimeDir holds ephemeral artifacts that should not survive reboot,
+	// such as Unix sockets for daemon and per-session IPC. Empty on
+	// platforms without a conventional /var/run-style location.
+	RuntimeDir string
+)
 
 func init() {
-	StateDir = os.Getenv("NB_STATE_DIR")
-	if StateDir != "" {
-		return
-	}
 	switch runtime.GOOS {
 	case "windows":
 		StateDir = filepath.Join(os.Getenv("PROGRAMDATA"), "Netbird")
 	case "darwin", "linux":
 		StateDir = "/var/lib/netbird"
+		RuntimeDir = "/var/run/netbird"
 	case "freebsd", "openbsd", "netbsd", "dragonfly":
 		StateDir = "/var/db/netbird"
+		RuntimeDir = "/var/run/netbird"
+	}
+	if v := os.Getenv("NB_STATE_DIR"); v != "" {
+		StateDir = v
+	}
+	if v := os.Getenv("NB_RUNTIME_DIR"); v != "" {
+		RuntimeDir = v
 	}
 }

client/firewall/iptables/manager_linux_test.go

@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+//go:build privileged
+
 package iptables
 
 import (

client/firewall/iptables/router_linux_test.go

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-//go:build !android
+//go:build !android && privileged
 
 package iptables
 

client/firewall/nftables/manager_linux_test.go

@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+//go:build privileged
+
 package nftables
 
 import (

client/firewall/nftables/router_linux_test.go

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-//go:build !android
+//go:build !android && privileged
 
 package nftables
 

client/iface/iface_test.go

@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+//go:build privileged
+
 package iface
 
 import (

client/iface/wgproxy/proxy_linux_test.go

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-//go:build linux && !android
+//go:build linux && !android && privileged
 
 package wgproxy
 

client/iface/wgproxy/proxy_seed_test.go

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-//go:build !linux
+//go:build !linux || !privileged
 
 package wgproxy
 

client/iface/wgproxy/redirect_test.go

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-//go:build linux && !android
+//go:build linux && !android && privileged
 
 package wgproxy
 
@@ -26,64 +26,6 @@ func compareUDPAddr(addr1, addr2 net.Addr) bool {
 	return udpAddr1.IP.Equal(udpAddr2.IP) && udpAddr1.Port == udpAddr2.Port
 }
 
-// TestRedirectAs_eBPF_IPv4 tests RedirectAs with eBPF proxy using IPv4 addresses
-func TestRedirectAs_eBPF_IPv4(t *testing.T) {
-	wgPort := 51850
-	ebpfProxy := ebpf.NewWGEBPFProxy(wgPort, 1280)
-	if err := ebpfProxy.Listen(); err != nil {
-		t.Fatalf("failed to initialize ebpf proxy: %v", err)
-	}
-	defer func() {
-		if err := ebpfProxy.Free(); err != nil {
-			t.Errorf("failed to free ebpf proxy: %v", err)
-		}
-	}()
-
-	proxy := ebpf.NewProxyWrapper(ebpfProxy)
-
-	// NetBird UDP address of the remote peer
-	nbAddr := &net.UDPAddr{
-		IP:   net.ParseIP("100.108.111.177"),
-		Port: 38746,
-	}
-
-	p2pEndpoint := &net.UDPAddr{
-		IP:   net.ParseIP("192.168.0.56"),
-		Port: 51820,
-	}
-
-	testRedirectAs(t, proxy, wgPort, nbAddr, p2pEndpoint)
-}
-
-// TestRedirectAs_eBPF_IPv6 tests RedirectAs with eBPF proxy using IPv6 addresses
-func TestRedirectAs_eBPF_IPv6(t *testing.T) {
-	wgPort := 51851
-	ebpfProxy := ebpf.NewWGEBPFProxy(wgPort, 1280)
-	if err := ebpfProxy.Listen(); err != nil {
-		t.Fatalf("failed to initialize ebpf proxy: %v", err)
-	}
-	defer func() {
-		if err := ebpfProxy.Free(); err != nil {
-			t.Errorf("failed to free ebpf proxy: %v", err)
-		}
-	}()
-
-	proxy := ebpf.NewProxyWrapper(ebpfProxy)
-
-	// NetBird UDP address of the remote peer
-	nbAddr := &net.UDPAddr{
-		IP:   net.ParseIP("100.108.111.177"),
-		Port: 38746,
-	}
-
-	p2pEndpoint := &net.UDPAddr{
-		IP:   net.ParseIP("fe80::56"),
-		Port: 51820,
-	}
-
-	testRedirectAs(t, proxy, wgPort, nbAddr, p2pEndpoint)
-}
-
 // TestRedirectAs_UDP_IPv4 tests RedirectAs with UDP proxy using IPv4 addresses
 func TestRedirectAs_UDP_IPv4(t *testing.T) {
 	wgPort := 51852
@@ -256,6 +198,64 @@ func testRedirectAs(t *testing.T, proxy Proxy, wgPort int, nbAddr, p2pEndpoint *
 	}
 }
 
+// TestRedirectAs_eBPF_IPv4 tests RedirectAs with eBPF proxy using IPv4 addresses
+func TestRedirectAs_eBPF_IPv4(t *testing.T) {
+	wgPort := 51850
+	ebpfProxy := ebpf.NewWGEBPFProxy(wgPort, 1280)
+	if err := ebpfProxy.Listen(); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to initialize ebpf proxy: %v", err)
+	}
+	defer func() {
+		if err := ebpfProxy.Free(); err != nil {
+			t.Errorf("failed to free ebpf proxy: %v", err)
+		}
+	}()
+
+	proxy := ebpf.NewProxyWrapper(ebpfProxy)
+
+	// NetBird UDP address of the remote peer
+	nbAddr := &net.UDPAddr{
+		IP:   net.ParseIP("100.108.111.177"),
+		Port: 38746,
+	}
+
+	p2pEndpoint := &net.UDPAddr{
+		IP:   net.ParseIP("192.168.0.56"),
+		Port: 51820,
+	}
+
+	testRedirectAs(t, proxy, wgPort, nbAddr, p2pEndpoint)
+}
+
+// TestRedirectAs_eBPF_IPv6 tests RedirectAs with eBPF proxy using IPv6 addresses
+func TestRedirectAs_eBPF_IPv6(t *testing.T) {
+	wgPort := 51851
+	ebpfProxy := ebpf.NewWGEBPFProxy(wgPort, 1280)
+	if err := ebpfProxy.Listen(); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to initialize ebpf proxy: %v", err)
+	}
+	defer func() {
+		if err := ebpfProxy.Free(); err != nil {
+			t.Errorf("failed to free ebpf proxy: %v", err)
+		}
+	}()
+
+	proxy := ebpf.NewProxyWrapper(ebpfProxy)
+
+	// NetBird UDP address of the remote peer
+	nbAddr := &net.UDPAddr{
+		IP:   net.ParseIP("100.108.111.177"),
+		Port: 38746,
+	}
+
+	p2pEndpoint := &net.UDPAddr{
+		IP:   net.ParseIP("fe80::56"),
+		Port: 51820,
+	}
+
+	testRedirectAs(t, proxy, wgPort, nbAddr, p2pEndpoint)
+}
+
 // TestRedirectAs_Multiple_Switches tests switching between multiple endpoints
 func TestRedirectAs_Multiple_Switches(t *testing.T) {
 	wgPort := 51856

client/internal/approval/broker.go

@@ -0,0 +1,219 @@
+// Package approval brokers per-attempt user-accept prompts for inbound
+// remote access (VNC today, SSH and others in the future). A caller pushes
+// a Prompt; the broker emits a SystemEvent on the daemon→UI stream and
+// blocks until the UI calls the daemon's RespondApproval RPC, the per-
+// request timeout fires, or no subscriber is connected. The latter case
+// fails closed so a backgrounded UI cannot silently bypass the gate.
+package approval
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"sync"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/google/uuid"
+	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
+
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/proto"
+)
+
+// Metadata keys the broker reserves on the emitted SystemEvent. Callers
+// should not set these themselves; values in Prompt.Metadata that collide
+// are overwritten by the broker.
+const (
+	MetaRequestID = "request_id"
+	MetaKind      = "kind"
+	MetaExpiresAt = "expires_at"
+)
+
+// ShortKeyFingerprint formats a hex-encoded Noise_IK static pubkey as a
+// short, eyeball-able fingerprint to display in the approval dialog.
+// The dashboard-supplied display name attached to a SessionPubKey isn't
+// cryptographically asserted by the connecting client, so the prompt
+// must also show something that IS: the key fingerprint, a hash of
+// the static public key the client just proved possession of during the
+// Noise handshake. Returns the empty string when the input is too short
+// to plausibly be a hex pubkey, so the row is omitted rather than
+// rendered as a misleading partial.
+//
+// Output format: 16 hex chars grouped as XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX (64 bits of
+// fingerprint, resistant to random-prefix collisions and easy for a human
+// to compare with an out-of-band reference).
+func ShortKeyFingerprint(hexKey string) string {
+	if len(hexKey) < 8 {
+		return ""
+	}
+	src := hexKey
+	if len(src) > 16 {
+		src = src[:16]
+	}
+	var out []byte
+	for i, c := range src {
+		if i > 0 && i%4 == 0 {
+			out = append(out, '-')
+		}
+		out = append(out, byte(c))
+	}
+	return string(out)
+}
+
+// Kind values for the well-known prompt subjects. New subsystems should
+// add a constant here so the UI can dispatch on a known string.
+const (
+	KindVNC = "vnc"
+	KindSSH = "ssh"
+)
+
+// DefaultTimeout is the wall-clock window the user has to accept or deny a
+// pending approval before the broker fails closed and returns ErrTimeout.
+// Kept well under typical VNC client and dashboard connection timeouts so
+// the RFB rejection actually reaches the browser instead of racing the
+// browser's own "connection timed out" message.
+const DefaultTimeout = 15 * time.Second
+
+// timeoutValue returns the active timeout. It's a var so tests in this
+// package can shorten the wait without exposing a setter on the public
+// API. Production code always sees DefaultTimeout.
+var timeoutValue = func() time.Duration { return DefaultTimeout }
+
+// ErrNoSubscriber indicates no UI is connected to consume the prompt.
+// The caller must reject the underlying connection (fail-closed).
+var ErrNoSubscriber = errors.New("no UI subscriber connected for approval")
+
+// ErrTimeout indicates the user did not respond within DefaultTimeout.
+var ErrTimeout = errors.New("approval timed out")
+
+// ErrDenied indicates the user explicitly denied the connection.
+var ErrDenied = errors.New("approval denied")
+
+// EventPublisher is the subset of peer.Status used to emit prompts.
+type EventPublisher interface {
+	PublishEvent(
+		severity proto.SystemEvent_Severity,
+		category proto.SystemEvent_Category,
+		msg string,
+		userMsg string,
+		metadata map[string]string,
+	)
+	HasEventSubscribers() bool
+}
+
+// Prompt describes the pending request shown to the user. Kind selects
+// the UI dispatch path (e.g. "vnc", "ssh"). Subject is the human-readable
+// one-liner the UI may show as a title or notification body. Metadata is
+// passed through verbatim and is the subsystem-specific payload (peer
+// name, source IP, mode, etc.).
+type Prompt struct {
+	Kind     string
+	Subject  string
+	Metadata map[string]string
+}
+
+// Decision carries the user's response to an approval prompt. ViewOnly is
+// only meaningful when Accept is true; it lets the host grant the
+// connection but signal the requester that input control is withheld.
+type Decision struct {
+	Accept   bool
+	ViewOnly bool
+}
+
+// Broker holds in-flight approval requests keyed by request ID.
+type Broker struct {
+	pub EventPublisher
+
+	mu      sync.Mutex
+	pending map[string]chan Decision
+}
+
+// New returns a broker that publishes prompts via pub.
+func New(pub EventPublisher) *Broker {
+	return &Broker{
+		pub:     pub,
+		pending: make(map[string]chan Decision),
+	}
+}
+
+// Request emits a SystemEvent for p and blocks until the UI calls Respond,
+// ctx is cancelled, or DefaultTimeout elapses. Returns a Decision when
+// the user replied; ErrDenied / ErrTimeout / ErrNoSubscriber / ctx.Err
+// otherwise. Callers must treat any non-nil error as a deny.
+func (b *Broker) Request(ctx context.Context, p Prompt) (Decision, error) {
+	var zero Decision
+	if b == nil || b.pub == nil {
+		return zero, fmt.Errorf("approval broker not configured")
+	}
+	if !b.pub.HasEventSubscribers() {
+		return zero, ErrNoSubscriber
+	}
+
+	id := uuid.NewString()
+	resp := make(chan Decision, 1)
+
+	b.mu.Lock()
+	b.pending[id] = resp
+	b.mu.Unlock()
+
+	defer b.dropPending(id)
+
+	timeout := timeoutValue()
+	expiresAt := time.Now().Add(timeout)
+	meta := make(map[string]string, len(p.Metadata)+3)
+	for k, v := range p.Metadata {
+		meta[k] = v
+	}
+	meta[MetaRequestID] = id
+	meta[MetaKind] = p.Kind
+	meta[MetaExpiresAt] = expiresAt.UTC().Format(time.RFC3339)
+
+	subject := p.Subject
+	if subject == "" {
+		subject = fmt.Sprintf("%s connection requires approval", p.Kind)
+	}
+	b.pub.PublishEvent(proto.SystemEvent_INFO, proto.SystemEvent_APPROVAL, subject, subject, meta)
+	log.Debugf("approval request %s (%s) emitted: %s", id, p.Kind, subject)
+
+	timer := time.NewTimer(timeout)
+	defer timer.Stop()
+
+	select {
+	case d := <-resp:
+		if !d.Accept {
+			return zero, ErrDenied
+		}
+		return d, nil
+	case <-timer.C:
+		return zero, ErrTimeout
+	case <-ctx.Done():
+		return zero, ctx.Err()
+	}
+}
+
+// Respond delivers the user's decision for id. Returns true when a pending
+// request matched and was woken, false when id was unknown or already done.
+func (b *Broker) Respond(id string, d Decision) bool {
+	if b == nil {
+		return false
+	}
+	b.mu.Lock()
+	ch, ok := b.pending[id]
+	if ok {
+		delete(b.pending, id)
+	}
+	b.mu.Unlock()
+	if !ok {
+		return false
+	}
+	select {
+	case ch <- d:
+	default:
+	}
+	return true
+}
+
+func (b *Broker) dropPending(id string) {
+	b.mu.Lock()
+	delete(b.pending, id)
+	b.mu.Unlock()
+}

client/internal/approval/broker_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,434 @@
+package approval
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"sync"
+	"sync/atomic"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/proto"
+)
+
+// fakePublisher records published events and reports whether subscribers
+// are connected. The subscribers flag is the security-critical signal:
+// when false the broker must refuse to emit and the gate must fail closed.
+type fakePublisher struct {
+	mu          sync.Mutex
+	subscribers bool
+	events      []*proto.SystemEvent
+}
+
+func (p *fakePublisher) PublishEvent(
+	severity proto.SystemEvent_Severity,
+	category proto.SystemEvent_Category,
+	msg string,
+	userMsg string,
+	metadata map[string]string,
+) {
+	p.mu.Lock()
+	p.events = append(p.events, &proto.SystemEvent{
+		Severity:    severity,
+		Category:    category,
+		Message:     msg,
+		UserMessage: userMsg,
+		Metadata:    metadata,
+	})
+	p.mu.Unlock()
+}
+
+func (p *fakePublisher) HasEventSubscribers() bool {
+	p.mu.Lock()
+	defer p.mu.Unlock()
+	return p.subscribers
+}
+
+func (p *fakePublisher) lastEvent(t *testing.T) *proto.SystemEvent {
+	t.Helper()
+	p.mu.Lock()
+	defer p.mu.Unlock()
+	require.NotEmpty(t, p.events, "publisher saw no events")
+	return p.events[len(p.events)-1]
+}
+
+func (p *fakePublisher) eventCount() int {
+	p.mu.Lock()
+	defer p.mu.Unlock()
+	return len(p.events)
+}
+
+// TestRequestNoSubscriberFailsClosed is the core fail-closed invariant:
+// when the UI is not subscribed, the broker must refuse without emitting
+// an event or arming a waiter. A regression here is a silent bypass.
+func TestRequestNoSubscriberFailsClosed(t *testing.T) {
+	pub := &fakePublisher{subscribers: false}
+	b := New(pub)
+
+	_, err := b.Request(context.Background(), Prompt{Kind: KindVNC, Subject: "test"})
+	assert.ErrorIs(t, err, ErrNoSubscriber)
+	assert.Equal(t, 0, pub.eventCount(), "no event must be emitted when fail-closed")
+
+	b.mu.Lock()
+	pending := len(b.pending)
+	b.mu.Unlock()
+	assert.Equal(t, 0, pending, "no waiter must be registered on fail-closed")
+}
+
+// TestRequestTimeoutDenies verifies that a request without a UI response
+// returns ErrTimeout (deny) rather than nil (silent accept). Uses a short
+// per-test broker timeout via Respond after the fact to keep the test fast.
+func TestRequestTimeoutDenies(t *testing.T) {
+	// Replace DefaultTimeout for the lifetime of this test.
+	orig := DefaultTimeout
+	defaultTimeout(t, 60*time.Millisecond)
+	defer defaultTimeout(t, orig)
+
+	pub := &fakePublisher{subscribers: true}
+	b := New(pub)
+
+	start := time.Now()
+	_, err := b.Request(context.Background(), Prompt{Kind: KindVNC, Subject: "test"})
+	assert.ErrorIs(t, err, ErrTimeout, "missing user response must yield ErrTimeout, not nil")
+	assert.GreaterOrEqual(t, time.Since(start), 50*time.Millisecond, "timeout fired prematurely")
+}
+
+// TestRequestDenied returns ErrDenied when the UI responds with false.
+func TestRequestDenied(t *testing.T) {
+	pub := &fakePublisher{subscribers: true}
+	b := New(pub)
+
+	var requestID string
+	done := make(chan error, 1)
+	go func() {
+		done <- requestErr(b, context.Background(), Prompt{Kind: KindVNC, Subject: "test"})
+	}()
+
+	requestID = waitForRequestID(t, pub)
+	require.True(t, b.Respond(requestID, Decision{Accept: false}))
+
+	select {
+	case err := <-done:
+		assert.ErrorIs(t, err, ErrDenied)
+	case <-time.After(time.Second):
+		t.Fatal("Request did not return after Respond(false)")
+	}
+}
+
+// TestRequestAccepted is the happy path. Failure here doesn't bypass the
+// gate but breaks the feature.
+func TestRequestAccepted(t *testing.T) {
+	pub := &fakePublisher{subscribers: true}
+	b := New(pub)
+
+	done := make(chan error, 1)
+	go func() {
+		done <- requestErr(b, context.Background(), Prompt{Kind: KindVNC, Subject: "test"})
+	}()
+
+	id := waitForRequestID(t, pub)
+	require.True(t, b.Respond(id, Decision{Accept: true}))
+
+	select {
+	case err := <-done:
+		assert.NoError(t, err)
+	case <-time.After(time.Second):
+		t.Fatal("Request did not return after Respond(true)")
+	}
+}
+
+// TestRequestCtxCancelDenies verifies that an upstream cancel (e.g. the
+// engine shutting down mid-prompt) returns the cancel error rather than
+// nil. A nil here would be a silent bypass on shutdown races.
+func TestRequestCtxCancelDenies(t *testing.T) {
+	pub := &fakePublisher{subscribers: true}
+	b := New(pub)
+
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
+	done := make(chan error, 1)
+	go func() {
+		done <- requestErr(b, ctx, Prompt{Kind: KindVNC, Subject: "test"})
+	}()
+
+	// Wait until the prompt is in flight so cancel races a live waiter.
+	_ = waitForRequestID(t, pub)
+	cancel()
+
+	select {
+	case err := <-done:
+		assert.ErrorIs(t, err, context.Canceled)
+	case <-time.After(time.Second):
+		t.Fatal("Request did not return after ctx cancel")
+	}
+}
+
+// TestRespondUnknownIsNoop ensures a stray RespondApproval RPC cannot
+// affect or accidentally accept any in-flight request whose id it doesn't
+// match. Also confirms it doesn't panic.
+func TestRespondUnknownIsNoop(t *testing.T) {
+	pub := &fakePublisher{subscribers: true}
+	b := New(pub)
+
+	// No in-flight prompts: Respond returns false.
+	assert.False(t, b.Respond("does-not-exist", Decision{Accept: true}))
+
+	// With an in-flight prompt, a wrong id still returns false and the
+	// prompt remains armed (eventually timing out as a deny).
+	defaultTimeout(t, 60*time.Millisecond)
+	defer defaultTimeout(t, DefaultTimeout)
+
+	done := make(chan error, 1)
+	go func() {
+		done <- requestErr(b, context.Background(), Prompt{Kind: KindVNC})
+	}()
+	realID := waitForRequestID(t, pub)
+	assert.False(t, b.Respond("totally-bogus", Decision{Accept: true}), "unknown id must not match")
+	assert.NotEqual(t, "totally-bogus", realID)
+
+	select {
+	case err := <-done:
+		assert.ErrorIs(t, err, ErrTimeout, "armed prompt must still time out, not accept")
+	case <-time.After(time.Second):
+		t.Fatal("prompt did not resolve")
+	}
+}
+
+// TestRespondAfterTimeoutNoop confirms a late accept response can't
+// retroactively flip a denied (timed-out) request. The dropPending defer
+// in Request must have removed the entry by the time Respond races in.
+func TestRespondAfterTimeoutNoop(t *testing.T) {
+	defaultTimeout(t, 30*time.Millisecond)
+	defer defaultTimeout(t, DefaultTimeout)
+
+	pub := &fakePublisher{subscribers: true}
+	b := New(pub)
+
+	done := make(chan error, 1)
+	go func() {
+		done <- requestErr(b, context.Background(), Prompt{Kind: KindVNC})
+	}()
+	id := waitForRequestID(t, pub)
+
+	select {
+	case err := <-done:
+		require.ErrorIs(t, err, ErrTimeout)
+	case <-time.After(time.Second):
+		t.Fatal("prompt did not time out")
+	}
+
+	assert.False(t, b.Respond(id, Decision{Accept: true}), "late respond must be no-op")
+}
+
+// TestRespondDoubleNoop ensures a duplicate ack from the UI doesn't leak
+// past the matched waiter or panic on a closed/full channel.
+func TestRespondDoubleNoop(t *testing.T) {
+	pub := &fakePublisher{subscribers: true}
+	b := New(pub)
+
+	done := make(chan error, 1)
+	go func() {
+		done <- requestErr(b, context.Background(), Prompt{Kind: KindVNC})
+	}()
+	id := waitForRequestID(t, pub)
+	require.True(t, b.Respond(id, Decision{Accept: true}))
+	assert.False(t, b.Respond(id, Decision{Accept: false}), "second response must be no-op")
+
+	select {
+	case err := <-done:
+		assert.NoError(t, err)
+	case <-time.After(time.Second):
+		t.Fatal("prompt did not resolve")
+	}
+}
+
+// TestNilBrokerRequestErrors guards the engine pre-init path where the
+// broker may not yet exist (or its publisher is nil): Request must
+// error, never silently accept.
+func TestNilBrokerRequestErrors(t *testing.T) {
+	var b *Broker
+	_, err := b.Request(context.Background(), Prompt{Kind: KindVNC})
+	assert.Error(t, err, "nil broker must error, never silently accept")
+
+	b2 := New(nil)
+	_, err = b2.Request(context.Background(), Prompt{Kind: KindVNC})
+	assert.Error(t, err, "broker with nil publisher must error, never silently accept")
+}
+
+// TestPromptMetadataInjected confirms the broker stamps request_id, kind,
+// and expires_at on the emitted event. The UI relies on these keys; if
+// they are dropped, the user cannot route the prompt and the response
+// path breaks (which fails closed via timeout).
+func TestPromptMetadataInjected(t *testing.T) {
+	pub := &fakePublisher{subscribers: true}
+	b := New(pub)
+
+	done := make(chan error, 1)
+	go func() {
+		done <- requestErr(b, context.Background(), Prompt{
+			Kind:     KindVNC,
+			Subject:  "VNC connection from peerA",
+			Metadata: map[string]string{"peer_name": "peerA"},
+		})
+	}()
+
+	id := waitForRequestID(t, pub)
+	ev := pub.lastEvent(t)
+
+	assert.Equal(t, proto.SystemEvent_APPROVAL, ev.Category)
+	assert.Equal(t, KindVNC, ev.Metadata[MetaKind])
+	assert.Equal(t, id, ev.Metadata[MetaRequestID])
+	assert.NotEmpty(t, ev.Metadata[MetaExpiresAt])
+	assert.Equal(t, "peerA", ev.Metadata["peer_name"], "caller metadata must pass through")
+
+	require.True(t, b.Respond(id, Decision{Accept: true}))
+	<-done
+}
+
+// TestConcurrentRequests verifies that two concurrent prompts are tracked
+// independently. A bug that aliases ids would let one Respond unblock
+// the wrong waiter (a silent accept across prompts).
+func TestConcurrentRequests(t *testing.T) {
+	pub := &fakePublisher{subscribers: true}
+	b := New(pub)
+
+	const n = 20
+	results := make(chan error, n)
+	for i := 0; i < n; i++ {
+		go func() {
+			results <- requestErr(b, context.Background(), Prompt{Kind: KindVNC})
+		}()
+	}
+
+	ids := waitForNRequestIDs(t, pub, n)
+	require.Len(t, ids, n)
+
+	// Deny exactly half, accept the rest. Track outcome per id so we can
+	// match each Request's return value against the response we sent.
+	denySet := make(map[string]bool, n)
+	for i, id := range ids {
+		deny := i%2 == 0
+		denySet[id] = deny
+		require.True(t, b.Respond(id, Decision{Accept: !deny}))
+	}
+
+	// Collect all returns and check no nil errors slipped past a deny.
+	var accepted, denied atomic.Int32
+	for i := 0; i < n; i++ {
+		select {
+		case err := <-results:
+			if err == nil {
+				accepted.Add(1)
+			} else {
+				assert.ErrorIs(t, err, ErrDenied)
+				denied.Add(1)
+			}
+		case <-time.After(2 * time.Second):
+			t.Fatalf("only got %d/%d responses", i, n)
+		}
+	}
+	assert.Equal(t, int32(n/2), denied.Load())
+	assert.Equal(t, int32(n/2), accepted.Load())
+}
+
+// waitForRequestID blocks until the publisher sees its next event and
+// returns the request_id stamped on it.
+func waitForRequestID(t *testing.T, pub *fakePublisher) string {
+	t.Helper()
+	deadline := time.Now().Add(2 * time.Second)
+	for time.Now().Before(deadline) {
+		pub.mu.Lock()
+		count := len(pub.events)
+		var id string
+		if count > 0 {
+			id = pub.events[count-1].Metadata[MetaRequestID]
+		}
+		pub.mu.Unlock()
+		if id != "" {
+			return id
+		}
+		time.Sleep(2 * time.Millisecond)
+	}
+	t.Fatal("timeout waiting for emitted event")
+	return ""
+}
+
+func waitForNRequestIDs(t *testing.T, pub *fakePublisher, n int) []string {
+	t.Helper()
+	deadline := time.Now().Add(2 * time.Second)
+	for time.Now().Before(deadline) {
+		pub.mu.Lock()
+		count := len(pub.events)
+		pub.mu.Unlock()
+		if count >= n {
+			break
+		}
+		time.Sleep(2 * time.Millisecond)
+	}
+	pub.mu.Lock()
+	defer pub.mu.Unlock()
+	out := make([]string, 0, len(pub.events))
+	seen := make(map[string]struct{}, len(pub.events))
+	for _, ev := range pub.events {
+		id := ev.Metadata[MetaRequestID]
+		if id == "" {
+			continue
+		}
+		if _, dup := seen[id]; dup {
+			continue
+		}
+		seen[id] = struct{}{}
+		out = append(out, id)
+	}
+	if len(out) < n {
+		t.Fatalf("only got %d/%d request ids", len(out), n)
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+// defaultTimeout swaps the broker's per-request wall-clock window so the
+// timeout tests run quickly. Restores the prior value on the next call.
+func defaultTimeout(t *testing.T, d time.Duration) {
+	t.Helper()
+	if d <= 0 {
+		t.Fatal("defaultTimeout must be > 0")
+	}
+	timeoutValue = func() time.Duration { return d }
+}
+
+// requestErr wraps Broker.Request to drop the Decision when tests only
+// care about the error path. Keeps the goroutine bodies tight.
+func requestErr(b *Broker, ctx context.Context, p Prompt) error {
+	_, err := b.Request(ctx, p)
+	return err
+}
+
+// TestRequestViewOnly checks the view-only outcome flows through Request's
+// Decision return without being silently swallowed.
+func TestRequestViewOnly(t *testing.T) {
+	pub := &fakePublisher{subscribers: true}
+	b := New(pub)
+
+	type result struct {
+		d   Decision
+		err error
+	}
+	done := make(chan result, 1)
+	go func() {
+		d, err := b.Request(context.Background(), Prompt{Kind: KindVNC})
+		done <- result{d, err}
+	}()
+
+	id := waitForRequestID(t, pub)
+	require.True(t, b.Respond(id, Decision{Accept: true, ViewOnly: true}))
+
+	select {
+	case r := <-done:
+		assert.NoError(t, r.err)
+		assert.True(t, r.d.Accept)
+		assert.True(t, r.d.ViewOnly, "ViewOnly must survive the round-trip")
+	case <-time.After(time.Second):
+		t.Fatal("view-only request did not resolve")
+	}
+}

client/internal/approval/fingerprint_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,62 @@
+package approval
+
+import "testing"
+
+// TestShortKeyFingerprint locks in the format the VNC approval prompt
+// shows to the user. The fingerprint is the user's only cryptographic
+// anchor against a malicious management server that pushes a spoofed
+// display name, so accidental changes to its format would silently
+// undermine that defence.
+func TestShortKeyFingerprint(t *testing.T) {
+	cases := []struct {
+		name string
+		in   string
+		want string
+	}{
+		{
+			name: "full_32_byte_pubkey",
+			in:   "0123456789abcdeffedcba9876543210ffeeddccbbaa99887766554433221100",
+			want: "0123-4567-89ab-cdef",
+		},
+		{
+			name: "exactly_16_chars",
+			in:   "0123456789abcdef",
+			want: "0123-4567-89ab-cdef",
+		},
+		{
+			name: "borderline_8_chars",
+			in:   "01234567",
+			want: "0123-4567",
+		},
+		{
+			name: "too_short_returns_empty",
+			in:   "0123",
+			want: "",
+		},
+		{
+			name: "empty_returns_empty",
+			in:   "",
+			want: "",
+		},
+	}
+	for _, tc := range cases {
+		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			got := ShortKeyFingerprint(tc.in)
+			if got != tc.want {
+				t.Fatalf("ShortKeyFingerprint(%q) = %q, want %q", tc.in, got, tc.want)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+// TestShortKeyFingerprint_DistinctKeysDistinctOutputs guards against a
+// formatting bug that would collapse different prefixes onto the same
+// displayed fingerprint and let an attacker substitute their pubkey for
+// a victim's while keeping the prompt visually identical.
+func TestShortKeyFingerprint_DistinctKeysDistinctOutputs(t *testing.T) {
+	a := ShortKeyFingerprint("0123456789abcdef" + "rest_of_pubkey_ignored")
+	b := ShortKeyFingerprint("0123456789abcde0" + "rest_of_pubkey_ignored")
+	if a == b {
+		t.Fatalf("expected distinct outputs for distinct prefixes, both = %q", a)
+	}
+}

client/internal/auth/auth.go

@@ -315,6 +315,7 @@ func (a *Auth) setSystemInfoFlags(info *system.Info) {
 		a.config.RosenpassEnabled,
 		a.config.RosenpassPermissive,
 		a.config.ServerSSHAllowed,
+		a.config.ServerVNCAllowed,
 		a.config.DisableClientRoutes,
 		a.config.DisableServerRoutes,
 		a.config.DisableDNS,

client/internal/connect.go

@@ -581,6 +581,8 @@ func createEngineConfig(key wgtypes.Key, config *profilemanager.Config, peerConf
 		RosenpassEnabled:              config.RosenpassEnabled,
 		RosenpassPermissive:           config.RosenpassPermissive,
 		ServerSSHAllowed:              util.ReturnBoolWithDefaultTrue(config.ServerSSHAllowed),
+		ServerVNCAllowed:              config.ServerVNCAllowed != nil && *config.ServerVNCAllowed,
+		DisableVNCApproval:            config.DisableVNCApproval,
 		EnableSSHRoot:                 config.EnableSSHRoot,
 		EnableSSHSFTP:                 config.EnableSSHSFTP,
 		EnableSSHLocalPortForwarding:  config.EnableSSHLocalPortForwarding,
@@ -663,6 +665,7 @@ func loginToManagement(ctx context.Context, client mgm.Client, pubSSHKey []byte,
 		config.RosenpassEnabled,
 		config.RosenpassPermissive,
 		config.ServerSSHAllowed,
+		config.ServerVNCAllowed,
 		config.DisableClientRoutes,
 		config.DisableServerRoutes,
 		config.DisableDNS,

client/internal/debug/debug.go

@@ -655,6 +655,12 @@ func (g *BundleGenerator) addCommonConfigFields(configContent *strings.Builder)
 	if g.internalConfig.SSHJWTCacheTTL != nil {
 		configContent.WriteString(fmt.Sprintf("SSHJWTCacheTTL: %d\n", *g.internalConfig.SSHJWTCacheTTL))
 	}
+	if g.internalConfig.ServerVNCAllowed != nil {
+		configContent.WriteString(fmt.Sprintf("ServerVNCAllowed: %v\n", *g.internalConfig.ServerVNCAllowed))
+	}
+	if g.internalConfig.DisableVNCApproval != nil {
+		configContent.WriteString(fmt.Sprintf("DisableVNCApproval: %v\n", *g.internalConfig.DisableVNCApproval))
+	}
 
 	configContent.WriteString(fmt.Sprintf("DisableClientRoutes: %v\n", g.internalConfig.DisableClientRoutes))
 	configContent.WriteString(fmt.Sprintf("DisableServerRoutes: %v\n", g.internalConfig.DisableServerRoutes))

client/internal/debug/debug_test.go

@@ -864,6 +864,8 @@ func TestAddConfig_AllFieldsCovered(t *testing.T) {
 		RosenpassEnabled:              true,
 		RosenpassPermissive:           true,
 		ServerSSHAllowed:              &bTrue,
+		ServerVNCAllowed:              &bTrue,
+		DisableVNCApproval:            &bTrue,
 		EnableSSHRoot:                 &bTrue,
 		EnableSSHSFTP:                 &bTrue,
 		EnableSSHLocalPortForwarding:  &bTrue,

client/internal/dns/server_privileged_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,485 @@
+//go:build privileged
+
+package dns
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"fmt"
+	"net/netip"
+	"os"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/golang/mock/gomock"
+	"github.com/miekg/dns"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
+	"golang.zx2c4.com/wireguard/wgctrl/wgtypes"
+
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface"
+	pfmock "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface/mocks"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface/wgaddr"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/dns/local"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/dns/test"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/peer"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/stdnet"
+	nbdns "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/dns"
+)
+
+func TestUpdateDNSServer(t *testing.T) {
+
+	nameServers := []nbdns.NameServer{
+		{
+			IP:     netip.MustParseAddr("8.8.8.8"),
+			NSType: nbdns.UDPNameServerType,
+			Port:   53,
+		},
+		{
+			IP:     netip.MustParseAddr("8.8.4.4"),
+			NSType: nbdns.UDPNameServerType,
+			Port:   53,
+		},
+	}
+
+	testCases := []struct {
+		name                string
+		initUpstreamMap     []handlerWrapper
+		initLocalZones      []nbdns.CustomZone
+		initSerial          uint64
+		inputSerial         uint64
+		inputUpdate         nbdns.Config
+		shouldFail          bool
+		expectedUpstreamMap []handlerWrapper
+		expectedLocalQs     []dns.Question
+	}{
+		{
+			name:            "Initial Config Should Succeed",
+			initUpstreamMap: nil,
+			initSerial:      0,
+			inputSerial:     1,
+			inputUpdate: nbdns.Config{
+				ServiceEnable: true,
+				CustomZones: []nbdns.CustomZone{
+					{
+						Domain:  "netbird.cloud",
+						Records: zoneRecords,
+					},
+				},
+				NameServerGroups: []*nbdns.NameServerGroup{
+					{
+						Domains:     []string{"netbird.io"},
+						NameServers: nameServers,
+					},
+					{
+						NameServers: nameServers,
+						Primary:     true,
+					},
+				},
+			},
+			expectedUpstreamMap: []handlerWrapper{
+				{
+					domain:   "netbird.io",
+					priority: PriorityUpstream,
+				},
+				{
+					domain:   "netbird.cloud",
+					priority: PriorityLocal,
+				},
+				{
+					domain:   nbdns.RootZone,
+					priority: PriorityDefault,
+				},
+			},
+			expectedLocalQs: []dns.Question{{Name: "peera.netbird.cloud.", Qtype: dns.TypeA, Qclass: dns.ClassINET}},
+		},
+		{
+			name:           "New Config Should Succeed",
+			initLocalZones: []nbdns.CustomZone{{Domain: "netbird.cloud", Records: []nbdns.SimpleRecord{{Name: "netbird.cloud", Type: 1, Class: nbdns.DefaultClass, TTL: 300, RData: "10.0.0.1"}}}},
+			initUpstreamMap: []handlerWrapper{
+				{
+					domain:   "netbird.cloud",
+					handler:  &mockHandler{},
+					priority: PriorityUpstream,
+				},
+			},
+			initSerial:  0,
+			inputSerial: 1,
+			inputUpdate: nbdns.Config{
+				ServiceEnable: true,
+				CustomZones: []nbdns.CustomZone{
+					{
+						Domain:  "netbird.cloud",
+						Records: zoneRecords,
+					},
+				},
+				NameServerGroups: []*nbdns.NameServerGroup{
+					{
+						Domains:     []string{"netbird.io"},
+						NameServers: nameServers,
+					},
+				},
+			},
+			expectedUpstreamMap: []handlerWrapper{
+				{
+					domain:   "netbird.io",
+					priority: PriorityUpstream,
+				},
+				{
+					domain:   "netbird.cloud",
+					priority: PriorityLocal,
+				},
+			},
+			expectedLocalQs: []dns.Question{{Name: zoneRecords[0].Name, Qtype: 1, Qclass: 1}},
+		},
+		{
+			name:            "Smaller Config Serial Should Be Skipped",
+			initLocalZones:  []nbdns.CustomZone{},
+			initUpstreamMap: nil,
+			initSerial:      2,
+			inputSerial:     1,
+			shouldFail:      true,
+		},
+		{
+			name:            "Empty NS Group Domain Or Not Primary Element Should Fail",
+			initLocalZones:  []nbdns.CustomZone{},
+			initUpstreamMap: nil,
+			initSerial:      0,
+			inputSerial:     1,
+			inputUpdate: nbdns.Config{
+				ServiceEnable: true,
+				CustomZones: []nbdns.CustomZone{
+					{
+						Domain:  "netbird.cloud",
+						Records: zoneRecords,
+					},
+				},
+				NameServerGroups: []*nbdns.NameServerGroup{
+					{
+						NameServers: nameServers,
+					},
+				},
+			},
+			shouldFail: true,
+		},
+		{
+			name:            "Invalid NS Group Nameservers list Should Fail",
+			initLocalZones:  []nbdns.CustomZone{},
+			initUpstreamMap: nil,
+			initSerial:      0,
+			inputSerial:     1,
+			inputUpdate: nbdns.Config{
+				ServiceEnable: true,
+				CustomZones: []nbdns.CustomZone{
+					{
+						Domain:  "netbird.cloud",
+						Records: zoneRecords,
+					},
+				},
+				NameServerGroups: []*nbdns.NameServerGroup{
+					{
+						NameServers: nameServers,
+					},
+				},
+			},
+			shouldFail: true,
+		},
+		{
+			name:            "Invalid Custom Zone Records list Should Skip",
+			initLocalZones:  []nbdns.CustomZone{},
+			initUpstreamMap: nil,
+			initSerial:      0,
+			inputSerial:     1,
+			inputUpdate: nbdns.Config{
+				ServiceEnable: true,
+				CustomZones: []nbdns.CustomZone{
+					{
+						Domain: "netbird.cloud",
+					},
+				},
+				NameServerGroups: []*nbdns.NameServerGroup{
+					{
+						NameServers: nameServers,
+						Primary:     true,
+					},
+				},
+			},
+			expectedUpstreamMap: []handlerWrapper{{
+				domain:   ".",
+				priority: PriorityDefault,
+			}},
+		},
+		{
+			name:           "Empty Config Should Succeed and Clean Maps",
+			initLocalZones: []nbdns.CustomZone{{Domain: "netbird.cloud", Records: []nbdns.SimpleRecord{{Name: "netbird.cloud", Type: int(dns.TypeA), Class: nbdns.DefaultClass, TTL: 300, RData: "10.0.0.1"}}}},
+			initUpstreamMap: []handlerWrapper{
+				{
+					domain:   zoneRecords[0].Name,
+					handler:  &mockHandler{},
+					priority: PriorityUpstream,
+				},
+			},
+			initSerial:          0,
+			inputSerial:         1,
+			inputUpdate:         nbdns.Config{ServiceEnable: true},
+			expectedUpstreamMap: nil,
+			expectedLocalQs:     []dns.Question{},
+		},
+		{
+			name:           "Disabled Service Should clean map",
+			initLocalZones: []nbdns.CustomZone{{Domain: "netbird.cloud", Records: []nbdns.SimpleRecord{{Name: "netbird.cloud", Type: int(dns.TypeA), Class: nbdns.DefaultClass, TTL: 300, RData: "10.0.0.1"}}}},
+			initUpstreamMap: []handlerWrapper{
+				{
+					domain:   zoneRecords[0].Name,
+					handler:  &mockHandler{},
+					priority: PriorityUpstream,
+				},
+			},
+			initSerial:          0,
+			inputSerial:         1,
+			inputUpdate:         nbdns.Config{ServiceEnable: false},
+			expectedUpstreamMap: nil,
+			expectedLocalQs:     []dns.Question{},
+		},
+	}
+
+	for n, testCase := range testCases {
+		t.Run(testCase.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			privKey, _ := wgtypes.GenerateKey()
+			newNet, err := stdnet.NewNet(context.Background(), nil)
+			if err != nil {
+				t.Fatal(err)
+			}
+
+			opts := iface.WGIFaceOpts{
+				IFaceName:    fmt.Sprintf("utun230%d", n),
+				Address:      wgaddr.MustParseWGAddress(fmt.Sprintf("100.66.100.%d/32", n+1)),
+				WGPort:       33100,
+				WGPrivKey:    privKey.String(),
+				MTU:          iface.DefaultMTU,
+				TransportNet: newNet,
+			}
+
+			wgIface, err := iface.NewWGIFace(opts)
+			if err != nil {
+				t.Fatal(err)
+			}
+			err = wgIface.Create()
+			if err != nil {
+				t.Fatal(err)
+			}
+			defer func() {
+				err = wgIface.Close()
+				if err != nil {
+					t.Log(err)
+				}
+			}()
+			dnsServer, err := NewDefaultServer(context.Background(), DefaultServerConfig{
+				WgInterface:    wgIface,
+				CustomAddress:  "",
+				StatusRecorder: peer.NewRecorder("mgm"),
+				StateManager:   nil,
+				DisableSys:     false,
+			})
+			if err != nil {
+				t.Fatal(err)
+			}
+			err = dnsServer.Initialize()
+			if err != nil {
+				t.Fatal(err)
+			}
+			defer func() {
+				err = dnsServer.hostManager.restoreHostDNS()
+				if err != nil {
+					t.Log(err)
+				}
+			}()
+
+			dnsServer.dnsMuxHandlers = testCase.initUpstreamMap
+			dnsServer.localResolver.Update(testCase.initLocalZones)
+			dnsServer.updateSerial = testCase.initSerial
+
+			err = dnsServer.UpdateDNSServer(testCase.inputSerial, testCase.inputUpdate)
+			if err != nil {
+				if testCase.shouldFail {
+					return
+				}
+				t.Fatalf("update dns server should not fail, got error: %v", err)
+			}
+
+			if len(dnsServer.dnsMuxHandlers) != len(testCase.expectedUpstreamMap) {
+				t.Fatalf("update upstream failed, map size is different than expected, want %d, got %d", len(testCase.expectedUpstreamMap), len(dnsServer.dnsMuxHandlers))
+			}
+
+			for _, expected := range testCase.expectedUpstreamMap {
+				found := false
+				for _, got := range dnsServer.dnsMuxHandlers {
+					if got.domain == expected.domain && got.priority == expected.priority {
+						found = true
+						break
+					}
+				}
+				if !found {
+					t.Fatalf("update upstream failed, handler for domain=%s priority=%d not found in dnsMuxHandlers: %#v", expected.domain, expected.priority, dnsServer.dnsMuxHandlers)
+				}
+			}
+
+			var responseMSG *dns.Msg
+			responseWriter := &test.MockResponseWriter{
+				WriteMsgFunc: func(m *dns.Msg) error {
+					responseMSG = m
+					return nil
+				},
+			}
+			for _, q := range testCase.expectedLocalQs {
+				dnsServer.localResolver.ServeDNS(responseWriter, &dns.Msg{
+					Question: []dns.Question{q},
+				})
+			}
+
+			if len(testCase.expectedLocalQs) > 0 {
+				assert.NotNil(t, responseMSG, "response message should not be nil")
+				assert.Equal(t, dns.RcodeSuccess, responseMSG.Rcode, "response code should be success")
+				assert.NotEmpty(t, responseMSG.Answer, "response message should have answers")
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestDNSFakeResolverHandleUpdates(t *testing.T) {
+	ov := os.Getenv("NB_WG_KERNEL_DISABLED")
+	defer t.Setenv("NB_WG_KERNEL_DISABLED", ov)
+
+	t.Setenv("NB_WG_KERNEL_DISABLED", "true")
+	newNet, err := stdnet.NewNet(context.Background(), []string{"utun2301"})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Errorf("create stdnet: %v", err)
+		return
+	}
+
+	privKey, _ := wgtypes.GeneratePrivateKey()
+	opts := iface.WGIFaceOpts{
+		IFaceName:    "utun2301",
+		Address:      wgaddr.MustParseWGAddress("100.66.100.1/32"),
+		WGPort:       33100,
+		WGPrivKey:    privKey.String(),
+		MTU:          iface.DefaultMTU,
+		TransportNet: newNet,
+	}
+	wgIface, err := iface.NewWGIFace(opts)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Errorf("build interface wireguard: %v", err)
+		return
+	}
+
+	err = wgIface.Create()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Errorf("create and init wireguard interface: %v", err)
+		return
+	}
+	defer func() {
+		if err = wgIface.Close(); err != nil {
+			t.Logf("close wireguard interface: %v", err)
+		}
+	}()
+
+	ctrl := gomock.NewController(t)
+	defer ctrl.Finish()
+
+	packetfilter := pfmock.NewMockPacketFilter(ctrl)
+	packetfilter.EXPECT().FilterOutbound(gomock.Any(), gomock.Any()).AnyTimes()
+	packetfilter.EXPECT().SetUDPPacketHook(gomock.Any(), gomock.Any(), gomock.Any()).AnyTimes()
+	packetfilter.EXPECT().SetTCPPacketHook(gomock.Any(), gomock.Any(), gomock.Any()).AnyTimes()
+
+	if err := wgIface.SetFilter(packetfilter); err != nil {
+		t.Errorf("set packet filter: %v", err)
+		return
+	}
+
+	dnsServer, err := NewDefaultServer(context.Background(), DefaultServerConfig{
+		WgInterface:    wgIface,
+		CustomAddress:  "",
+		StatusRecorder: peer.NewRecorder("mgm"),
+		StateManager:   nil,
+		DisableSys:     false,
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Errorf("create DNS server: %v", err)
+		return
+	}
+
+	err = dnsServer.Initialize()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Errorf("run DNS server: %v", err)
+		return
+	}
+	defer func() {
+		if err = dnsServer.hostManager.restoreHostDNS(); err != nil {
+			t.Logf("restore DNS settings on the host: %v", err)
+			return
+		}
+	}()
+
+	dnsServer.dnsMuxHandlers = []handlerWrapper{
+		{
+			domain:   zoneRecords[0].Name,
+			handler:  &local.Resolver{},
+			priority: PriorityUpstream,
+		},
+	}
+	dnsServer.localResolver.Update([]nbdns.CustomZone{{Domain: "netbird.cloud", Records: []nbdns.SimpleRecord{{Name: "netbird.cloud", Type: int(dns.TypeA), Class: nbdns.DefaultClass, TTL: 300, RData: "10.0.0.1"}}}})
+	dnsServer.updateSerial = 0
+
+	nameServers := []nbdns.NameServer{
+		{
+			IP:     netip.MustParseAddr("8.8.8.8"),
+			NSType: nbdns.UDPNameServerType,
+			Port:   53,
+		},
+		{
+			IP:     netip.MustParseAddr("8.8.4.4"),
+			NSType: nbdns.UDPNameServerType,
+			Port:   53,
+		},
+	}
+
+	update := nbdns.Config{
+		ServiceEnable: true,
+		CustomZones: []nbdns.CustomZone{
+			{
+				Domain:  "netbird.cloud",
+				Records: zoneRecords,
+			},
+		},
+		NameServerGroups: []*nbdns.NameServerGroup{
+			{
+				Domains:     []string{"netbird.io"},
+				NameServers: nameServers,
+			},
+			{
+				NameServers: nameServers,
+				Primary:     true,
+			},
+		},
+	}
+
+	// Start the server with regular configuration
+	if err := dnsServer.UpdateDNSServer(1, update); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("update dns server should not fail, got error: %v", err)
+		return
+	}
+
+	update2 := update
+	update2.ServiceEnable = false
+	// Disable the server, stop the listener
+	if err := dnsServer.UpdateDNSServer(2, update2); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("update dns server should not fail, got error: %v", err)
+		return
+	}
+
+	update3 := update2
+	update3.NameServerGroups = update3.NameServerGroups[:1]
+	// But service still get updates and we checking that we handle
+	// internal state in the right way
+	if err := dnsServer.UpdateDNSServer(3, update3); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("update dns server should not fail, got error: %v", err)
+		return
+	}
+}

client/internal/dns/server_test.go

@@ -10,7 +10,6 @@ import (
 	"testing"
 	"time"
 
-	"github.com/golang/mock/gomock"
 	"github.com/miekg/dns"
 	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
@@ -23,7 +22,6 @@ import (
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface/configurer"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface/device"
-	pfmock "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface/mocks"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface/wgaddr"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/dns/local"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/dns/test"
@@ -104,466 +102,6 @@ func init() {
 	formatter.SetTextFormatter(log.StandardLogger())
 }
 
-func TestUpdateDNSServer(t *testing.T) {
-
-	nameServers := []nbdns.NameServer{
-		{
-			IP:     netip.MustParseAddr("8.8.8.8"),
-			NSType: nbdns.UDPNameServerType,
-			Port:   53,
-		},
-		{
-			IP:     netip.MustParseAddr("8.8.4.4"),
-			NSType: nbdns.UDPNameServerType,
-			Port:   53,
-		},
-	}
-
-	testCases := []struct {
-		name                string
-		initUpstreamMap     []handlerWrapper
-		initLocalZones      []nbdns.CustomZone
-		initSerial          uint64
-		inputSerial         uint64
-		inputUpdate         nbdns.Config
-		shouldFail          bool
-		expectedUpstreamMap []handlerWrapper
-		expectedLocalQs     []dns.Question
-	}{
-		{
-			name:            "Initial Config Should Succeed",
-			initUpstreamMap: nil,
-			initSerial:      0,
-			inputSerial:     1,
-			inputUpdate: nbdns.Config{
-				ServiceEnable: true,
-				CustomZones: []nbdns.CustomZone{
-					{
-						Domain:  "netbird.cloud",
-						Records: zoneRecords,
-					},
-				},
-				NameServerGroups: []*nbdns.NameServerGroup{
-					{
-						Domains:     []string{"netbird.io"},
-						NameServers: nameServers,
-					},
-					{
-						NameServers: nameServers,
-						Primary:     true,
-					},
-				},
-			},
-			expectedUpstreamMap: []handlerWrapper{
-				{
-					domain:   "netbird.io",
-					priority: PriorityUpstream,
-				},
-				{
-					domain:   "netbird.cloud",
-					priority: PriorityLocal,
-				},
-				{
-					domain:   nbdns.RootZone,
-					priority: PriorityDefault,
-				},
-			},
-			expectedLocalQs: []dns.Question{{Name: "peera.netbird.cloud.", Qtype: dns.TypeA, Qclass: dns.ClassINET}},
-		},
-		{
-			name:           "New Config Should Succeed",
-			initLocalZones: []nbdns.CustomZone{{Domain: "netbird.cloud", Records: []nbdns.SimpleRecord{{Name: "netbird.cloud", Type: 1, Class: nbdns.DefaultClass, TTL: 300, RData: "10.0.0.1"}}}},
-			initUpstreamMap: []handlerWrapper{
-				{
-					domain:   "netbird.cloud",
-					handler:  &mockHandler{},
-					priority: PriorityUpstream,
-				},
-			},
-			initSerial:  0,
-			inputSerial: 1,
-			inputUpdate: nbdns.Config{
-				ServiceEnable: true,
-				CustomZones: []nbdns.CustomZone{
-					{
-						Domain:  "netbird.cloud",
-						Records: zoneRecords,
-					},
-				},
-				NameServerGroups: []*nbdns.NameServerGroup{
-					{
-						Domains:     []string{"netbird.io"},
-						NameServers: nameServers,
-					},
-				},
-			},
-			expectedUpstreamMap: []handlerWrapper{
-				{
-					domain:   "netbird.io",
-					priority: PriorityUpstream,
-				},
-				{
-					domain:   "netbird.cloud",
-					priority: PriorityLocal,
-				},
-			},
-			expectedLocalQs: []dns.Question{{Name: zoneRecords[0].Name, Qtype: 1, Qclass: 1}},
-		},
-		{
-			name:            "Smaller Config Serial Should Be Skipped",
-			initLocalZones:  []nbdns.CustomZone{},
-			initUpstreamMap: nil,
-			initSerial:      2,
-			inputSerial:     1,
-			shouldFail:      true,
-		},
-		{
-			name:            "Empty NS Group Domain Or Not Primary Element Should Fail",
-			initLocalZones:  []nbdns.CustomZone{},
-			initUpstreamMap: nil,
-			initSerial:      0,
-			inputSerial:     1,
-			inputUpdate: nbdns.Config{
-				ServiceEnable: true,
-				CustomZones: []nbdns.CustomZone{
-					{
-						Domain:  "netbird.cloud",
-						Records: zoneRecords,
-					},
-				},
-				NameServerGroups: []*nbdns.NameServerGroup{
-					{
-						NameServers: nameServers,
-					},
-				},
-			},
-			shouldFail: true,
-		},
-		{
-			name:            "Invalid NS Group Nameservers list Should Fail",
-			initLocalZones:  []nbdns.CustomZone{},
-			initUpstreamMap: nil,
-			initSerial:      0,
-			inputSerial:     1,
-			inputUpdate: nbdns.Config{
-				ServiceEnable: true,
-				CustomZones: []nbdns.CustomZone{
-					{
-						Domain:  "netbird.cloud",
-						Records: zoneRecords,
-					},
-				},
-				NameServerGroups: []*nbdns.NameServerGroup{
-					{
-						NameServers: nameServers,
-					},
-				},
-			},
-			shouldFail: true,
-		},
-		{
-			name:            "Invalid Custom Zone Records list Should Skip",
-			initLocalZones:  []nbdns.CustomZone{},
-			initUpstreamMap: nil,
-			initSerial:      0,
-			inputSerial:     1,
-			inputUpdate: nbdns.Config{
-				ServiceEnable: true,
-				CustomZones: []nbdns.CustomZone{
-					{
-						Domain: "netbird.cloud",
-					},
-				},
-				NameServerGroups: []*nbdns.NameServerGroup{
-					{
-						NameServers: nameServers,
-						Primary:     true,
-					},
-				},
-			},
-			expectedUpstreamMap: []handlerWrapper{{
-				domain:   ".",
-				priority: PriorityDefault,
-			}},
-		},
-		{
-			name:           "Empty Config Should Succeed and Clean Maps",
-			initLocalZones: []nbdns.CustomZone{{Domain: "netbird.cloud", Records: []nbdns.SimpleRecord{{Name: "netbird.cloud", Type: int(dns.TypeA), Class: nbdns.DefaultClass, TTL: 300, RData: "10.0.0.1"}}}},
-			initUpstreamMap: []handlerWrapper{
-				{
-					domain:   zoneRecords[0].Name,
-					handler:  &mockHandler{},
-					priority: PriorityUpstream,
-				},
-			},
-			initSerial:          0,
-			inputSerial:         1,
-			inputUpdate:         nbdns.Config{ServiceEnable: true},
-			expectedUpstreamMap: nil,
-			expectedLocalQs:     []dns.Question{},
-		},
-		{
-			name:           "Disabled Service Should clean map",
-			initLocalZones: []nbdns.CustomZone{{Domain: "netbird.cloud", Records: []nbdns.SimpleRecord{{Name: "netbird.cloud", Type: int(dns.TypeA), Class: nbdns.DefaultClass, TTL: 300, RData: "10.0.0.1"}}}},
-			initUpstreamMap: []handlerWrapper{
-				{
-					domain:   zoneRecords[0].Name,
-					handler:  &mockHandler{},
-					priority: PriorityUpstream,
-				},
-			},
-			initSerial:          0,
-			inputSerial:         1,
-			inputUpdate:         nbdns.Config{ServiceEnable: false},
-			expectedUpstreamMap: nil,
-			expectedLocalQs:     []dns.Question{},
-		},
-	}
-
-	for n, testCase := range testCases {
-		t.Run(testCase.name, func(t *testing.T) {
-			privKey, _ := wgtypes.GenerateKey()
-			newNet, err := stdnet.NewNet(context.Background(), nil)
-			if err != nil {
-				t.Fatal(err)
-			}
-
-			opts := iface.WGIFaceOpts{
-				IFaceName:    fmt.Sprintf("utun230%d", n),
-				Address:      wgaddr.MustParseWGAddress(fmt.Sprintf("100.66.100.%d/32", n+1)),
-				WGPort:       33100,
-				WGPrivKey:    privKey.String(),
-				MTU:          iface.DefaultMTU,
-				TransportNet: newNet,
-			}
-
-			wgIface, err := iface.NewWGIFace(opts)
-			if err != nil {
-				t.Fatal(err)
-			}
-			err = wgIface.Create()
-			if err != nil {
-				t.Fatal(err)
-			}
-			defer func() {
-				err = wgIface.Close()
-				if err != nil {
-					t.Log(err)
-				}
-			}()
-			dnsServer, err := NewDefaultServer(context.Background(), DefaultServerConfig{
-				WgInterface:    wgIface,
-				CustomAddress:  "",
-				StatusRecorder: peer.NewRecorder("mgm"),
-				StateManager:   nil,
-				DisableSys:     false,
-			})
-			if err != nil {
-				t.Fatal(err)
-			}
-			err = dnsServer.Initialize()
-			if err != nil {
-				t.Fatal(err)
-			}
-			defer func() {
-				err = dnsServer.hostManager.restoreHostDNS()
-				if err != nil {
-					t.Log(err)
-				}
-			}()
-
-			dnsServer.dnsMuxHandlers = testCase.initUpstreamMap
-			dnsServer.localResolver.Update(testCase.initLocalZones)
-			dnsServer.updateSerial = testCase.initSerial
-
-			err = dnsServer.UpdateDNSServer(testCase.inputSerial, testCase.inputUpdate)
-			if err != nil {
-				if testCase.shouldFail {
-					return
-				}
-				t.Fatalf("update dns server should not fail, got error: %v", err)
-			}
-
-			if len(dnsServer.dnsMuxHandlers) != len(testCase.expectedUpstreamMap) {
-				t.Fatalf("update upstream failed, map size is different than expected, want %d, got %d", len(testCase.expectedUpstreamMap), len(dnsServer.dnsMuxHandlers))
-			}
-
-			for _, expected := range testCase.expectedUpstreamMap {
-				found := false
-				for _, got := range dnsServer.dnsMuxHandlers {
-					if got.domain == expected.domain && got.priority == expected.priority {
-						found = true
-						break
-					}
-				}
-				if !found {
-					t.Fatalf("update upstream failed, handler for domain=%s priority=%d not found in dnsMuxHandlers: %#v", expected.domain, expected.priority, dnsServer.dnsMuxHandlers)
-				}
-			}
-
-			var responseMSG *dns.Msg
-			responseWriter := &test.MockResponseWriter{
-				WriteMsgFunc: func(m *dns.Msg) error {
-					responseMSG = m
-					return nil
-				},
-			}
-			for _, q := range testCase.expectedLocalQs {
-				dnsServer.localResolver.ServeDNS(responseWriter, &dns.Msg{
-					Question: []dns.Question{q},
-				})
-			}
-
-			if len(testCase.expectedLocalQs) > 0 {
-				assert.NotNil(t, responseMSG, "response message should not be nil")
-				assert.Equal(t, dns.RcodeSuccess, responseMSG.Rcode, "response code should be success")
-				assert.NotEmpty(t, responseMSG.Answer, "response message should have answers")
-			}
-		})
-	}
-}
-
-func TestDNSFakeResolverHandleUpdates(t *testing.T) {
-	ov := os.Getenv("NB_WG_KERNEL_DISABLED")
-	defer t.Setenv("NB_WG_KERNEL_DISABLED", ov)
-
-	t.Setenv("NB_WG_KERNEL_DISABLED", "true")
-	newNet, err := stdnet.NewNet(context.Background(), []string{"utun2301"})
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Errorf("create stdnet: %v", err)
-		return
-	}
-
-	privKey, _ := wgtypes.GeneratePrivateKey()
-	opts := iface.WGIFaceOpts{
-		IFaceName:    "utun2301",
-		Address:      wgaddr.MustParseWGAddress("100.66.100.1/32"),
-		WGPort:       33100,
-		WGPrivKey:    privKey.String(),
-		MTU:          iface.DefaultMTU,
-		TransportNet: newNet,
-	}
-	wgIface, err := iface.NewWGIFace(opts)
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Errorf("build interface wireguard: %v", err)
-		return
-	}
-
-	err = wgIface.Create()
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Errorf("create and init wireguard interface: %v", err)
-		return
-	}
-	defer func() {
-		if err = wgIface.Close(); err != nil {
-			t.Logf("close wireguard interface: %v", err)
-		}
-	}()
-
-	ctrl := gomock.NewController(t)
-	defer ctrl.Finish()
-
-	packetfilter := pfmock.NewMockPacketFilter(ctrl)
-	packetfilter.EXPECT().FilterOutbound(gomock.Any(), gomock.Any()).AnyTimes()
-	packetfilter.EXPECT().SetUDPPacketHook(gomock.Any(), gomock.Any(), gomock.Any()).AnyTimes()
-	packetfilter.EXPECT().SetTCPPacketHook(gomock.Any(), gomock.Any(), gomock.Any()).AnyTimes()
-
-	if err := wgIface.SetFilter(packetfilter); err != nil {
-		t.Errorf("set packet filter: %v", err)
-		return
-	}
-
-	dnsServer, err := NewDefaultServer(context.Background(), DefaultServerConfig{
-		WgInterface:    wgIface,
-		CustomAddress:  "",
-		StatusRecorder: peer.NewRecorder("mgm"),
-		StateManager:   nil,
-		DisableSys:     false,
-	})
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Errorf("create DNS server: %v", err)
-		return
-	}
-
-	err = dnsServer.Initialize()
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Errorf("run DNS server: %v", err)
-		return
-	}
-	defer func() {
-		if err = dnsServer.hostManager.restoreHostDNS(); err != nil {
-			t.Logf("restore DNS settings on the host: %v", err)
-			return
-		}
-	}()
-
-	dnsServer.dnsMuxHandlers = []handlerWrapper{
-		{
-			domain:   zoneRecords[0].Name,
-			handler:  &local.Resolver{},
-			priority: PriorityUpstream,
-		},
-	}
-	dnsServer.localResolver.Update([]nbdns.CustomZone{{Domain: "netbird.cloud", Records: []nbdns.SimpleRecord{{Name: "netbird.cloud", Type: int(dns.TypeA), Class: nbdns.DefaultClass, TTL: 300, RData: "10.0.0.1"}}}})
-	dnsServer.updateSerial = 0
-
-	nameServers := []nbdns.NameServer{
-		{
-			IP:     netip.MustParseAddr("8.8.8.8"),
-			NSType: nbdns.UDPNameServerType,
-			Port:   53,
-		},
-		{
-			IP:     netip.MustParseAddr("8.8.4.4"),
-			NSType: nbdns.UDPNameServerType,
-			Port:   53,
-		},
-	}
-
-	update := nbdns.Config{
-		ServiceEnable: true,
-		CustomZones: []nbdns.CustomZone{
-			{
-				Domain:  "netbird.cloud",
-				Records: zoneRecords,
-			},
-		},
-		NameServerGroups: []*nbdns.NameServerGroup{
-			{
-				Domains:     []string{"netbird.io"},
-				NameServers: nameServers,
-			},
-			{
-				NameServers: nameServers,
-				Primary:     true,
-			},
-		},
-	}
-
-	// Start the server with regular configuration
-	if err := dnsServer.UpdateDNSServer(1, update); err != nil {
-		t.Fatalf("update dns server should not fail, got error: %v", err)
-		return
-	}
-
-	update2 := update
-	update2.ServiceEnable = false
-	// Disable the server, stop the listener
-	if err := dnsServer.UpdateDNSServer(2, update2); err != nil {
-		t.Fatalf("update dns server should not fail, got error: %v", err)
-		return
-	}
-
-	update3 := update2
-	update3.NameServerGroups = update3.NameServerGroups[:1]
-	// But service still get updates and we checking that we handle
-	// internal state in the right way
-	if err := dnsServer.UpdateDNSServer(3, update3); err != nil {
-		t.Fatalf("update dns server should not fail, got error: %v", err)
-		return
-	}
-}
-
 func TestDNSServerStartStop(t *testing.T) {
 	testCases := []struct {
 		name     string

client/internal/engine.go

@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface/udpmux"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface/wgaddr"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/acl"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/approval"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/debug"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/dns"
 	dnsconfig "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/dns/config"
@@ -125,6 +126,8 @@ type EngineConfig struct {
 	RosenpassPermissive bool
 
 	ServerSSHAllowed              bool
+	ServerVNCAllowed              bool
+	DisableVNCApproval            *bool
 	EnableSSHRoot                 *bool
 	EnableSSHSFTP                 *bool
 	EnableSSHLocalPortForwarding  *bool
@@ -212,7 +215,9 @@ type Engine struct {
 
 	networkMonitor *networkmonitor.NetworkMonitor
 
-	sshServer sshServer
+	sshServer      sshServer
+	vncSrv         vncServer
+	approvalBroker *approval.Broker
 
 	statusRecorder *peer.Status
 
@@ -304,6 +309,7 @@ func NewEngine(
 		TURNs:              []*stun.URI{},
 		networkSerial:      0,
 		statusRecorder:     services.StatusRecorder,
+		approvalBroker:     approval.New(services.StatusRecorder),
 		stateManager:       services.StateManager,
 		portForwardManager: portforward.NewManager(),
 		checks:             services.Checks,
@@ -366,6 +372,10 @@ func (e *Engine) stopLocked() {
 		log.Warnf("failed to stop SSH server: %v", err)
 	}
 
+	if err := e.stopVNCServer(); err != nil {
+		log.Warnf("failed to stop VNC server: %v", err)
+	}
+
 	e.cleanupSSHConfig()
 
 	if e.ingressGatewayMgr != nil {
@@ -1075,6 +1085,7 @@ func (e *Engine) updateChecksIfNew(checks []*mgmProto.Checks) error {
 		e.config.RosenpassEnabled,
 		e.config.RosenpassPermissive,
 		&e.config.ServerSSHAllowed,
+		&e.config.ServerVNCAllowed,
 		e.config.DisableClientRoutes,
 		e.config.DisableServerRoutes,
 		e.config.DisableDNS,
@@ -1136,6 +1147,10 @@ func (e *Engine) updateConfig(conf *mgmProto.PeerConfig) error {
 		}
 	}
 
+	if err := e.updateVNC(); err != nil {
+		log.Warnf("failed handling VNC server setup: %v", err)
+	}
+
 	state := e.statusRecorder.GetLocalPeerState()
 	state.IP = e.wgInterface.Address().String()
 	state.IPv6 = e.wgInterface.Address().IPv6String()
@@ -1263,6 +1278,7 @@ func (e *Engine) receiveManagementEvents() {
 			e.config.RosenpassEnabled,
 			e.config.RosenpassPermissive,
 			&e.config.ServerSSHAllowed,
+			&e.config.ServerVNCAllowed,
 			e.config.DisableClientRoutes,
 			e.config.DisableServerRoutes,
 			e.config.DisableDNS,
@@ -1452,6 +1468,11 @@ func (e *Engine) updateNetworkMap(networkMap *mgmProto.NetworkMap) error {
 		e.updateSSHServerAuth(networkMap.GetSshAuth())
 	}
 
+	// VNC auth: always sync, including nil so cleared auth on the management
+	// side is applied locally, and so it isn't skipped on the RemotePeersIsEmpty
+	// cleanup path.
+	e.updateVNCServerAuth(networkMap.GetVncAuth())
+
 	// must set the exclude list after the peers are added. Without it the manager can not figure out the peers parameters from the store
 	excludedLazyPeers := e.toExcludedLazyPeers(forwardingRules, remotePeers)
 	e.connMgr.SetExcludeList(e.ctx, excludedLazyPeers)
@@ -1931,6 +1952,7 @@ func (e *Engine) readInitialSettings() ([]*route.Route, *nbdns.Config, bool, err
 		e.config.RosenpassEnabled,
 		e.config.RosenpassPermissive,
 		&e.config.ServerSSHAllowed,
+		&e.config.ServerVNCAllowed,
 		e.config.DisableClientRoutes,
 		e.config.DisableServerRoutes,
 		e.config.DisableDNS,
@@ -2699,3 +2721,16 @@ func decodeRelayIP(b []byte) netip.Addr {
 	}
 	return ip.Unmap()
 }
+
+// RespondApproval relays the user's decision for a pending approval to
+// the broker. viewOnly is honoured only when accept is true. Returns
+// true when the request_id matched a live prompt.
+func (e *Engine) RespondApproval(requestID string, accept, viewOnly bool) bool {
+	if e == nil || e.approvalBroker == nil {
+		return false
+	}
+	return e.approvalBroker.Respond(requestID, approval.Decision{
+		Accept:   accept,
+		ViewOnly: accept && viewOnly,
+	})
+}

client/internal/engine_privileged_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,565 @@
+//go:build privileged
+
+package internal
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"fmt"
+	"net"
+	"runtime"
+	"strings"
+	"sync"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/golang/mock/gomock"
+	"github.com/google/uuid"
+	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+	"go.opentelemetry.io/otel"
+	"golang.zx2c4.com/wireguard/wgctrl/wgtypes"
+	"google.golang.org/grpc"
+	"google.golang.org/grpc/keepalive"
+
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface/device"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface/wgaddr"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/dns"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/peer"
+	nbssh "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/ssh"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/system"
+	nbdns "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/dns"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/internals/controllers/network_map/controller"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/internals/controllers/network_map/update_channel"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/internals/modules/peers"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/internals/modules/peers/ephemeral/manager"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/internals/server/config"
+	nbgrpc "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/internals/shared/grpc"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/activity"
+	nbcache "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/cache"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/groups"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/integrations/integrated_validator/validator"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/integrations/port_forwarding"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/job"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/permissions"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/settings"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/store"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/telemetry"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/types"
+	mgmt "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/management/client"
+	mgmtProto "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/management/proto"
+	relayClient "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/relay/client"
+	signal "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/signal/client"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/signal/proto"
+	signalServer "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/signal/server"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/util"
+)
+
+func TestEngine_SSH(t *testing.T) {
+	key, err := wgtypes.GeneratePrivateKey()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+		return
+	}
+
+	sshKey, err := nbssh.GeneratePrivateKey(nbssh.ED25519)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+		return
+	}
+
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(CtxInitState(context.Background()))
+	defer cancel()
+
+	relayMgr := relayClient.NewManager(ctx, nil, key.PublicKey().String(), iface.DefaultMTU)
+	engine := NewEngine(
+		ctx, cancel,
+		&EngineConfig{
+			WgIfaceName:      "utun101",
+			WgAddr:           wgaddr.MustParseWGAddress("100.64.0.1/24"),
+			WgPrivateKey:     key,
+			WgPort:           33100,
+			ServerSSHAllowed: true,
+			MTU:              iface.DefaultMTU,
+			SSHKey:           sshKey,
+		},
+		EngineServices{
+			SignalClient:   &signal.MockClient{},
+			MgmClient:      &mgmt.MockClient{},
+			RelayManager:   relayMgr,
+			StatusRecorder: peer.NewRecorder("https://mgm"),
+		},
+		MobileDependency{},
+	)
+
+	engine.dnsServer = &dns.MockServer{
+		UpdateDNSServerFunc: func(serial uint64, update nbdns.Config) error { return nil },
+	}
+
+	err = engine.Start(nil, nil)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	defer func() {
+		err := engine.Stop()
+		if err != nil {
+			return
+		}
+	}()
+
+	peerWithSSH := &mgmtProto.RemotePeerConfig{
+		WgPubKey:   "MNHf3Ma6z6mdLbriAJbqhX7+nM/B71lgw2+91q3LfhU=",
+		AllowedIps: []string{"100.64.0.21/24"},
+		SshConfig: &mgmtProto.SSHConfig{
+			SshPubKey: []byte("ssh-ed25519 AAAAC3NzaC1lZDI1NTE5AAAAIFATYCqaQw/9id1Qkq3n16JYhDhXraI6Pc1fgB8ynEfQ"),
+		},
+	}
+
+	// SSH server is not enabled so SSH config of a remote peer should be ignored
+	networkMap := &mgmtProto.NetworkMap{
+		Serial:             6,
+		PeerConfig:         nil,
+		RemotePeers:        []*mgmtProto.RemotePeerConfig{peerWithSSH},
+		RemotePeersIsEmpty: false,
+	}
+
+	err = engine.updateNetworkMap(networkMap)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	assert.Nil(t, engine.sshServer)
+
+	// SSH server is enabled, therefore SSH config should be applied
+	networkMap = &mgmtProto.NetworkMap{
+		Serial: 7,
+		PeerConfig: &mgmtProto.PeerConfig{Address: "100.64.0.1/24",
+			SshConfig: &mgmtProto.SSHConfig{
+				SshEnabled: true,
+				JwtConfig: &mgmtProto.JWTConfig{
+					Issuer:       "test-issuer",
+					Audience:     "test-audience",
+					KeysLocation: "test-keys",
+					MaxTokenAge:  3600,
+				},
+			}},
+		RemotePeers:        []*mgmtProto.RemotePeerConfig{peerWithSSH},
+		RemotePeersIsEmpty: false,
+	}
+
+	err = engine.updateNetworkMap(networkMap)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	time.Sleep(250 * time.Millisecond)
+	assert.NotNil(t, engine.sshServer)
+
+	// now remove peer
+	networkMap = &mgmtProto.NetworkMap{
+		Serial:             8,
+		RemotePeers:        []*mgmtProto.RemotePeerConfig{},
+		RemotePeersIsEmpty: false,
+	}
+
+	err = engine.updateNetworkMap(networkMap)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	// time.Sleep(250 * time.Millisecond)
+	assert.NotNil(t, engine.sshServer)
+
+	// now disable SSH server
+	networkMap = &mgmtProto.NetworkMap{
+		Serial: 9,
+		PeerConfig: &mgmtProto.PeerConfig{Address: "100.64.0.1/24",
+			SshConfig: &mgmtProto.SSHConfig{SshEnabled: false}},
+		RemotePeers:        []*mgmtProto.RemotePeerConfig{peerWithSSH},
+		RemotePeersIsEmpty: false,
+	}
+
+	err = engine.updateNetworkMap(networkMap)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	assert.Nil(t, engine.sshServer)
+}
+
+func TestEngine_Sync(t *testing.T) {
+	key, err := wgtypes.GeneratePrivateKey()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+		return
+	}
+
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(CtxInitState(context.Background()))
+	defer cancel()
+
+	// feed updates to Engine via mocked Management client
+	updates := make(chan *mgmtProto.SyncResponse)
+	defer close(updates)
+	syncFunc := func(ctx context.Context, info *system.Info, msgHandler func(msg *mgmtProto.SyncResponse) error) error {
+		for msg := range updates {
+			err := msgHandler(msg)
+			if err != nil {
+				t.Fatal(err)
+			}
+		}
+		return nil
+	}
+	relayMgr := relayClient.NewManager(ctx, nil, key.PublicKey().String(), iface.DefaultMTU)
+	engine := NewEngine(ctx, cancel, &EngineConfig{
+		WgIfaceName:  "utun103",
+		WgAddr:       wgaddr.MustParseWGAddress("100.64.0.1/24"),
+		WgPrivateKey: key,
+		WgPort:       33100,
+		MTU:          iface.DefaultMTU,
+	}, EngineServices{
+		SignalClient:   &signal.MockClient{},
+		MgmClient:      &mgmt.MockClient{SyncFunc: syncFunc},
+		RelayManager:   relayMgr,
+		StatusRecorder: peer.NewRecorder("https://mgm"),
+	}, MobileDependency{})
+	engine.ctx = ctx
+
+	engine.dnsServer = &dns.MockServer{
+		UpdateDNSServerFunc: func(serial uint64, update nbdns.Config) error { return nil },
+	}
+
+	defer func() {
+		err := engine.Stop()
+		if err != nil {
+			return
+		}
+	}()
+
+	err = engine.Start(nil, nil)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+		return
+	}
+
+	peer1 := &mgmtProto.RemotePeerConfig{
+		WgPubKey:   "RRHf3Ma6z6mdLbriAJbqhX7+nM/B71lgw2+91q3LfhU=",
+		AllowedIps: []string{"100.64.0.10/24"},
+	}
+	peer2 := &mgmtProto.RemotePeerConfig{
+		WgPubKey:   "LLHf3Ma6z6mdLbriAJbqhX9+nM/B71lgw2+91q3LlhU=",
+		AllowedIps: []string{"100.64.0.11/24"},
+	}
+	peer3 := &mgmtProto.RemotePeerConfig{
+		WgPubKey:   "GGHf3Ma6z6mdLbriAJbqhX9+nM/B71lgw2+91q3LlhU=",
+		AllowedIps: []string{"100.64.0.12/24"},
+	}
+	// 1st update with just 1 peer and serial larger than the current serial of the engine => apply update
+	updates <- &mgmtProto.SyncResponse{
+		NetworkMap: &mgmtProto.NetworkMap{
+			Serial:             10,
+			PeerConfig:         nil,
+			RemotePeers:        []*mgmtProto.RemotePeerConfig{peer1, peer2, peer3},
+			RemotePeersIsEmpty: false,
+		},
+	}
+
+	timeout := time.After(time.Second * 2)
+	for {
+		select {
+		case <-timeout:
+			t.Fatalf("timeout while waiting for test to finish")
+			return
+		default:
+		}
+
+		if getPeers(engine) == 3 && engine.networkSerial == 10 {
+			break
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestEngine_MultiplePeers(t *testing.T) {
+	// log.SetLevel(log.DebugLevel)
+
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(CtxInitState(context.Background()))
+	defer cancel()
+
+	sigServer, signalAddr, err := startSignal(t)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+		return
+	}
+	defer sigServer.Stop()
+	mgmtServer, mgmtAddr, err := startManagement(t, t.TempDir(), "../testdata/store.sql")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+		return
+	}
+	defer mgmtServer.GracefulStop()
+
+	setupKey := "A2C8E62B-38F5-4553-B31E-DD66C696CEBB"
+
+	mu := sync.Mutex{}
+	engines := []*Engine{}
+	numPeers := 10
+	wg := sync.WaitGroup{}
+	wg.Add(numPeers)
+	// create and start peers
+	for i := 0; i < numPeers; i++ {
+		j := i
+		go func() {
+			engine, err := createEngine(ctx, cancel, setupKey, j, mgmtAddr, signalAddr)
+			if err != nil {
+				wg.Done()
+				t.Errorf("unable to create the engine for peer %d with error %v", j, err)
+				return
+			}
+			engine.dnsServer = &dns.MockServer{}
+			mu.Lock()
+			defer mu.Unlock()
+			guid := fmt.Sprintf("{%s}", uuid.New().String())
+			device.CustomWindowsGUIDString = strings.ToLower(guid)
+			err = engine.Start(nil, nil)
+			if err != nil {
+				t.Errorf("unable to start engine for peer %d with error %v", j, err)
+				wg.Done()
+				return
+			}
+			engines = append(engines, engine)
+			wg.Done()
+		}()
+	}
+
+	// wait until all have been created and started
+	wg.Wait()
+	if len(engines) != numPeers {
+		t.Fatal("not all peers were started")
+	}
+	// check whether all the peer have expected peers connected
+
+	expectedConnected := numPeers * (numPeers - 1)
+
+	// adjust according to timeouts
+	timeout := 50 * time.Second
+	timeoutChan := time.After(timeout)
+	ticker := time.NewTicker(time.Second)
+	defer ticker.Stop()
+loop:
+	for {
+		select {
+		case <-timeoutChan:
+			t.Fatalf("waiting for expected connections timeout after %s", timeout.String())
+			break loop
+		case <-ticker.C:
+			totalConnected := 0
+			for _, engine := range engines {
+				totalConnected += getConnectedPeers(engine)
+			}
+			if totalConnected == expectedConnected {
+				log.Infof("total connected=%d", totalConnected)
+				break loop
+			}
+			log.Infof("total connected=%d", totalConnected)
+		}
+	}
+	// cleanup test
+	for n, peerEngine := range engines {
+		t.Logf("stopping peer with interface %s from multipeer test, loopIndex %d", peerEngine.wgInterface.Name(), n)
+		errStop := peerEngine.mgmClient.Close()
+		if errStop != nil {
+			log.Infoln("got error trying to close management clients from engine: ", errStop)
+		}
+		errStop = peerEngine.Stop()
+		if errStop != nil {
+			log.Infoln("got error trying to close testing peers engine: ", errStop)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+var (
+	kaep = keepalive.EnforcementPolicy{
+		MinTime:             15 * time.Second,
+		PermitWithoutStream: true,
+	}
+
+	kasp = keepalive.ServerParameters{
+		MaxConnectionIdle:     15 * time.Second,
+		MaxConnectionAgeGrace: 5 * time.Second,
+		Time:                  5 * time.Second,
+		Timeout:               2 * time.Second,
+	}
+)
+
+func createEngine(ctx context.Context, cancel context.CancelFunc, setupKey string, i int, mgmtAddr string, signalAddr string) (*Engine, error) {
+	key, err := wgtypes.GeneratePrivateKey()
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	mgmtClient, err := mgmt.NewClient(ctx, mgmtAddr, key, false)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	signalClient, err := signal.NewClient(ctx, signalAddr, key, false)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	info := system.GetInfo(ctx)
+	resp, err := mgmtClient.Register(setupKey, "", info, nil, nil)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	var ifaceName string
+	if runtime.GOOS == "darwin" {
+		ifaceName = fmt.Sprintf("utun1%d", i)
+	} else {
+		ifaceName = fmt.Sprintf("wt%d", i)
+	}
+
+	wgPort := 33100 + i
+	conf := &EngineConfig{
+		WgIfaceName:  ifaceName,
+		WgAddr:       wgaddr.MustParseWGAddress(resp.PeerConfig.Address),
+		WgPrivateKey: key,
+		WgPort:       wgPort,
+		MTU:          iface.DefaultMTU,
+	}
+
+	relayMgr := relayClient.NewManager(ctx, nil, key.PublicKey().String(), iface.DefaultMTU)
+	e, err := NewEngine(ctx, cancel, conf, EngineServices{
+		SignalClient:   signalClient,
+		MgmClient:      mgmtClient,
+		RelayManager:   relayMgr,
+		StatusRecorder: peer.NewRecorder("https://mgm"),
+	}, MobileDependency{}), nil
+	e.ctx = ctx
+	return e, err
+}
+
+func startSignal(t *testing.T) (*grpc.Server, string, error) {
+	t.Helper()
+
+	s := grpc.NewServer(grpc.KeepaliveEnforcementPolicy(kaep), grpc.KeepaliveParams(kasp))
+
+	lis, err := net.Listen("tcp", "localhost:0")
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Fatalf("failed to listen: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	srv, err := signalServer.NewServer(context.Background(), otel.Meter(""))
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	proto.RegisterSignalExchangeServer(s, srv)
+
+	go func() {
+		if err = s.Serve(lis); err != nil {
+			log.Fatalf("failed to serve: %v", err)
+		}
+	}()
+
+	return s, lis.Addr().String(), nil
+}
+
+func startManagement(t *testing.T, dataDir, testFile string) (*grpc.Server, string, error) {
+	t.Helper()
+
+	config := &config.Config{
+		Stuns:      []*config.Host{},
+		TURNConfig: &config.TURNConfig{},
+		Relay: &config.Relay{
+			Addresses:      []string{"127.0.0.1:1234"},
+			CredentialsTTL: util.Duration{Duration: time.Hour},
+			Secret:         "222222222222222222",
+		},
+		Signal: &config.Host{
+			Proto: "http",
+			URI:   "localhost:10000",
+		},
+		Datadir:    dataDir,
+		HttpConfig: nil,
+	}
+
+	lis, err := net.Listen("tcp", "localhost:0")
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, "", err
+	}
+	s := grpc.NewServer(grpc.KeepaliveEnforcementPolicy(kaep), grpc.KeepaliveParams(kasp))
+
+	store, cleanUp, err := store.NewTestStoreFromSQL(context.Background(), testFile, config.Datadir)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, "", err
+	}
+	t.Cleanup(cleanUp)
+
+	eventStore := &activity.InMemoryEventStore{}
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, "", err
+	}
+
+	permissionsManager := permissions.NewManager(store)
+	peersManager := peers.NewManager(store, permissionsManager)
+	jobManager := job.NewJobManager(nil, store, peersManager)
+
+	cacheStore, err := nbcache.NewStore(context.Background(), 100*time.Millisecond, 300*time.Millisecond, 100)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, "", err
+	}
+
+	ia, _ := validator.NewIntegratedValidator(context.Background(), peersManager, nil, eventStore, cacheStore)
+
+	metrics, err := telemetry.NewDefaultAppMetrics(context.Background())
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	ctrl := gomock.NewController(t)
+	t.Cleanup(ctrl.Finish)
+	settingsMockManager := settings.NewMockManager(ctrl)
+	settingsMockManager.EXPECT().
+		GetSettings(gomock.Any(), gomock.Any(), gomock.Any()).
+		Return(&types.Settings{}, nil).
+		AnyTimes()
+	settingsMockManager.EXPECT().
+		GetExtraSettings(gomock.Any(), gomock.Any()).
+		Return(&types.ExtraSettings{}, nil).
+		AnyTimes()
+
+	groupsManager := groups.NewManagerMock()
+
+	updateManager := update_channel.NewPeersUpdateManager(metrics)
+	requestBuffer := server.NewAccountRequestBuffer(context.Background(), store)
+	networkMapController := controller.NewController(context.Background(), store, metrics, updateManager, requestBuffer, server.MockIntegratedValidator{}, settingsMockManager, "netbird.selfhosted", port_forwarding.NewControllerMock(), manager.NewEphemeralManager(store, peersManager), config)
+	accountManager, err := server.BuildManager(context.Background(), config, store, networkMapController, jobManager, nil, "", eventStore, nil, false, ia, metrics, port_forwarding.NewControllerMock(), settingsMockManager, permissionsManager, false, cacheStore)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, "", err
+	}
+
+	secretsManager, err := nbgrpc.NewTimeBasedAuthSecretsManager(updateManager, config.TURNConfig, config.Relay, settingsMockManager, groupsManager)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, "", err
+	}
+	mgmtServer, err := nbgrpc.NewServer(config, accountManager, settingsMockManager, jobManager, secretsManager, nil, nil, &server.MockIntegratedValidator{}, networkMapController, nil, nil)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, "", err
+	}
+	mgmtProto.RegisterManagementServiceServer(s, mgmtServer)
+	go func() {
+		if err = s.Serve(lis); err != nil {
+			log.Fatalf("failed to serve: %v", err)
+		}
+	}()
+
+	return s, lis.Addr().String(), nil
+}
+
+// getConnectedPeers returns a connection Status or nil if peer connection wasn't found
+func getConnectedPeers(e *Engine) int {
+	e.syncMsgMux.Lock()
+	defer e.syncMsgMux.Unlock()
+	i := 0
+	for _, id := range e.peerStore.PeersPubKey() {
+		conn, _ := e.peerStore.PeerConn(id)
+		if conn.IsConnected() {
+			i++
+		}
+	}
+	return i
+}
+
+func getPeers(e *Engine) int {
+	e.syncMsgMux.Lock()
+	defer e.syncMsgMux.Unlock()
+
+	return len(e.peerStore.PeersPubKey())
+}

client/internal/engine_ssh.go

@@ -12,10 +12,10 @@ import (
 	firewallManager "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/firewall/manager"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface/netstack"
 	nftypes "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/netflow/types"
-	sshauth "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/ssh/auth"
 	sshconfig "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/ssh/config"
 	sshserver "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/ssh/server"
 	mgmProto "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/management/proto"
+	sshauth "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/sessionauth"
 	sshuserhash "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/sshauth"
 )
 
@@ -237,22 +237,18 @@ func (e *Engine) startSSHServer(jwtConfig *sshserver.JWTConfig) error {
 		return errors.New("wg interface not initialized")
 	}
 
+	wgAddr := e.wgInterface.Address()
 	serverConfig := &sshserver.Config{
-		HostKeyPEM: e.config.SSHKey,
-		JWT:        jwtConfig,
+		HostKeyPEM:        e.config.SSHKey,
+		JWT:               jwtConfig,
+		NetstackNet:       e.wgInterface.GetNet(),
+		NetworkValidation: wgAddr,
 	}
 	server := sshserver.New(serverConfig)
 
-	wgAddr := e.wgInterface.Address()
-	server.SetNetworkValidation(wgAddr)
-
 	netbirdIP := wgAddr.IP
 	listenAddr := netip.AddrPortFrom(netbirdIP, sshserver.InternalSSHPort)
 
-	if netstackNet := e.wgInterface.GetNet(); netstackNet != nil {
-		server.SetNetstackNet(netstackNet)
-	}
-
 	e.configureSSHServer(server)
 
 	if err := server.Start(e.ctx, listenAddr); err != nil {

client/internal/engine_test.go

@@ -6,37 +6,18 @@ import (
 	"net"
 	"net/netip"
 	"os"
-	"runtime"
 	"strings"
 	"sync"
 	"testing"
 	"time"
 
-	"github.com/golang/mock/gomock"
-	"github.com/google/uuid"
-	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
-	"go.opentelemetry.io/otel"
 	wgdevice "golang.zx2c4.com/wireguard/device"
 	"golang.zx2c4.com/wireguard/tun/netstack"
 	"golang.zx2c4.com/wireguard/wgctrl/wgtypes"
-	"google.golang.org/grpc"
-	"google.golang.org/grpc/keepalive"
 
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/stdnet"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/job"
-
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/integrations/integrated_validator/validator"
-
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/internals/controllers/network_map/controller"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/internals/controllers/network_map/update_channel"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/internals/modules/peers"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/internals/modules/peers/ephemeral/manager"
-	nbgrpc "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/internals/shared/grpc"
-
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/internals/server/config"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/groups"
 
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface/configurer"
@@ -50,18 +31,7 @@ import (
 	icemaker "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/peer/ice"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/profilemanager"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/routemanager"
-	nbssh "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/ssh"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/system"
 	nbdns "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/dns"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/activity"
-	nbcache "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/cache"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/integrations/port_forwarding"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/permissions"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/settings"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/store"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/telemetry"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/types"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/monotime"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/route"
 	mgmt "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/management/client"
@@ -69,25 +39,9 @@ import (
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/netiputil"
 	relayClient "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/relay/client"
 	signal "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/signal/client"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/signal/proto"
-	signalServer "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/signal/server"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/util"
 )
 
-var (
-	kaep = keepalive.EnforcementPolicy{
-		MinTime:             15 * time.Second,
-		PermitWithoutStream: true,
-	}
-
-	kasp = keepalive.ServerParameters{
-		MaxConnectionIdle:     15 * time.Second,
-		MaxConnectionAgeGrace: 5 * time.Second,
-		Time:                  5 * time.Second,
-		Timeout:               2 * time.Second,
-	}
-)
-
 type MockWGIface struct {
 	CreateFunc                 func() error
 	CreateOnAndroidFunc        func(routeRange []string, ip string, domains []string) error
@@ -234,129 +188,6 @@ func TestMain(m *testing.M) {
 	os.Exit(code)
 }
 
-func TestEngine_SSH(t *testing.T) {
-	key, err := wgtypes.GeneratePrivateKey()
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-		return
-	}
-
-	sshKey, err := nbssh.GeneratePrivateKey(nbssh.ED25519)
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-		return
-	}
-
-	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(CtxInitState(context.Background()))
-	defer cancel()
-
-	relayMgr := relayClient.NewManager(ctx, nil, key.PublicKey().String(), iface.DefaultMTU)
-	engine := NewEngine(
-		ctx, cancel,
-		&EngineConfig{
-			WgIfaceName:      "utun101",
-			WgAddr:           wgaddr.MustParseWGAddress("100.64.0.1/24"),
-			WgPrivateKey:     key,
-			WgPort:           33100,
-			ServerSSHAllowed: true,
-			MTU:              iface.DefaultMTU,
-			SSHKey:           sshKey,
-		},
-		EngineServices{
-			SignalClient:   &signal.MockClient{},
-			MgmClient:      &mgmt.MockClient{},
-			RelayManager:   relayMgr,
-			StatusRecorder: peer.NewRecorder("https://mgm"),
-		},
-		MobileDependency{},
-	)
-
-	engine.dnsServer = &dns.MockServer{
-		UpdateDNSServerFunc: func(serial uint64, update nbdns.Config) error { return nil },
-	}
-
-	err = engine.Start(nil, nil)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	defer func() {
-		err := engine.Stop()
-		if err != nil {
-			return
-		}
-	}()
-
-	peerWithSSH := &mgmtProto.RemotePeerConfig{
-		WgPubKey:   "MNHf3Ma6z6mdLbriAJbqhX7+nM/B71lgw2+91q3LfhU=",
-		AllowedIps: []string{"100.64.0.21/24"},
-		SshConfig: &mgmtProto.SSHConfig{
-			SshPubKey: []byte("ssh-ed25519 AAAAC3NzaC1lZDI1NTE5AAAAIFATYCqaQw/9id1Qkq3n16JYhDhXraI6Pc1fgB8ynEfQ"),
-		},
-	}
-
-	// SSH server is not enabled so SSH config of a remote peer should be ignored
-	networkMap := &mgmtProto.NetworkMap{
-		Serial:             6,
-		PeerConfig:         nil,
-		RemotePeers:        []*mgmtProto.RemotePeerConfig{peerWithSSH},
-		RemotePeersIsEmpty: false,
-	}
-
-	err = engine.updateNetworkMap(networkMap)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	assert.Nil(t, engine.sshServer)
-
-	// SSH server is enabled, therefore SSH config should be applied
-	networkMap = &mgmtProto.NetworkMap{
-		Serial: 7,
-		PeerConfig: &mgmtProto.PeerConfig{Address: "100.64.0.1/24",
-			SshConfig: &mgmtProto.SSHConfig{
-				SshEnabled: true,
-				JwtConfig: &mgmtProto.JWTConfig{
-					Issuer:       "test-issuer",
-					Audience:     "test-audience",
-					KeysLocation: "test-keys",
-					MaxTokenAge:  3600,
-				},
-			}},
-		RemotePeers:        []*mgmtProto.RemotePeerConfig{peerWithSSH},
-		RemotePeersIsEmpty: false,
-	}
-
-	err = engine.updateNetworkMap(networkMap)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	time.Sleep(250 * time.Millisecond)
-	assert.NotNil(t, engine.sshServer)
-
-	// now remove peer
-	networkMap = &mgmtProto.NetworkMap{
-		Serial:             8,
-		RemotePeers:        []*mgmtProto.RemotePeerConfig{},
-		RemotePeersIsEmpty: false,
-	}
-
-	err = engine.updateNetworkMap(networkMap)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	// time.Sleep(250 * time.Millisecond)
-	assert.NotNil(t, engine.sshServer)
-
-	// now disable SSH server
-	networkMap = &mgmtProto.NetworkMap{
-		Serial: 9,
-		PeerConfig: &mgmtProto.PeerConfig{Address: "100.64.0.1/24",
-			SshConfig: &mgmtProto.SSHConfig{SshEnabled: false}},
-		RemotePeers:        []*mgmtProto.RemotePeerConfig{peerWithSSH},
-		RemotePeersIsEmpty: false,
-	}
-
-	err = engine.updateNetworkMap(networkMap)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	assert.Nil(t, engine.sshServer)
-}
-
 func TestEngine_SSHUpdateLogic(t *testing.T) {
 	// Test that SSH server start/stop logic works based on config
 	engine := &Engine{
@@ -631,97 +462,6 @@ func TestEngine_UpdateNetworkMap(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
-func TestEngine_Sync(t *testing.T) {
-	key, err := wgtypes.GeneratePrivateKey()
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-		return
-	}
-
-	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(CtxInitState(context.Background()))
-	defer cancel()
-
-	// feed updates to Engine via mocked Management client
-	updates := make(chan *mgmtProto.SyncResponse)
-	defer close(updates)
-	syncFunc := func(ctx context.Context, info *system.Info, msgHandler func(msg *mgmtProto.SyncResponse) error) error {
-		for msg := range updates {
-			err := msgHandler(msg)
-			if err != nil {
-				t.Fatal(err)
-			}
-		}
-		return nil
-	}
-	relayMgr := relayClient.NewManager(ctx, nil, key.PublicKey().String(), iface.DefaultMTU)
-	engine := NewEngine(ctx, cancel, &EngineConfig{
-		WgIfaceName:  "utun103",
-		WgAddr:       wgaddr.MustParseWGAddress("100.64.0.1/24"),
-		WgPrivateKey: key,
-		WgPort:       33100,
-		MTU:          iface.DefaultMTU,
-	}, EngineServices{
-		SignalClient:   &signal.MockClient{},
-		MgmClient:      &mgmt.MockClient{SyncFunc: syncFunc},
-		RelayManager:   relayMgr,
-		StatusRecorder: peer.NewRecorder("https://mgm"),
-	}, MobileDependency{})
-	engine.ctx = ctx
-
-	engine.dnsServer = &dns.MockServer{
-		UpdateDNSServerFunc: func(serial uint64, update nbdns.Config) error { return nil },
-	}
-
-	defer func() {
-		err := engine.Stop()
-		if err != nil {
-			return
-		}
-	}()
-
-	err = engine.Start(nil, nil)
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-		return
-	}
-
-	peer1 := &mgmtProto.RemotePeerConfig{
-		WgPubKey:   "RRHf3Ma6z6mdLbriAJbqhX7+nM/B71lgw2+91q3LfhU=",
-		AllowedIps: []string{"100.64.0.10/24"},
-	}
-	peer2 := &mgmtProto.RemotePeerConfig{
-		WgPubKey:   "LLHf3Ma6z6mdLbriAJbqhX9+nM/B71lgw2+91q3LlhU=",
-		AllowedIps: []string{"100.64.0.11/24"},
-	}
-	peer3 := &mgmtProto.RemotePeerConfig{
-		WgPubKey:   "GGHf3Ma6z6mdLbriAJbqhX9+nM/B71lgw2+91q3LlhU=",
-		AllowedIps: []string{"100.64.0.12/24"},
-	}
-	// 1st update with just 1 peer and serial larger than the current serial of the engine => apply update
-	updates <- &mgmtProto.SyncResponse{
-		NetworkMap: &mgmtProto.NetworkMap{
-			Serial:             10,
-			PeerConfig:         nil,
-			RemotePeers:        []*mgmtProto.RemotePeerConfig{peer1, peer2, peer3},
-			RemotePeersIsEmpty: false,
-		},
-	}
-
-	timeout := time.After(time.Second * 2)
-	for {
-		select {
-		case <-timeout:
-			t.Fatalf("timeout while waiting for test to finish")
-			return
-		default:
-		}
-
-		if getPeers(engine) == 3 && engine.networkSerial == 10 {
-			break
-		}
-	}
-}
-
 func TestEngine_UpdateNetworkMapWithRoutes(t *testing.T) {
 	testCases := []struct {
 		name                 string
@@ -1105,104 +845,6 @@ func TestEngine_UpdateNetworkMapWithDNSUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
-func TestEngine_MultiplePeers(t *testing.T) {
-	// log.SetLevel(log.DebugLevel)
-
-	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(CtxInitState(context.Background()))
-	defer cancel()
-
-	sigServer, signalAddr, err := startSignal(t)
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-		return
-	}
-	defer sigServer.Stop()
-	mgmtServer, mgmtAddr, err := startManagement(t, t.TempDir(), "../testdata/store.sql")
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-		return
-	}
-	defer mgmtServer.GracefulStop()
-
-	setupKey := "A2C8E62B-38F5-4553-B31E-DD66C696CEBB"
-
-	mu := sync.Mutex{}
-	engines := []*Engine{}
-	numPeers := 10
-	wg := sync.WaitGroup{}
-	wg.Add(numPeers)
-	// create and start peers
-	for i := 0; i < numPeers; i++ {
-		j := i
-		go func() {
-			engine, err := createEngine(ctx, cancel, setupKey, j, mgmtAddr, signalAddr)
-			if err != nil {
-				wg.Done()
-				t.Errorf("unable to create the engine for peer %d with error %v", j, err)
-				return
-			}
-			engine.dnsServer = &dns.MockServer{}
-			mu.Lock()
-			defer mu.Unlock()
-			guid := fmt.Sprintf("{%s}", uuid.New().String())
-			device.CustomWindowsGUIDString = strings.ToLower(guid)
-			err = engine.Start(nil, nil)
-			if err != nil {
-				t.Errorf("unable to start engine for peer %d with error %v", j, err)
-				wg.Done()
-				return
-			}
-			engines = append(engines, engine)
-			wg.Done()
-		}()
-	}
-
-	// wait until all have been created and started
-	wg.Wait()
-	if len(engines) != numPeers {
-		t.Fatal("not all peers was started")
-	}
-	// check whether all the peer have expected peers connected
-
-	expectedConnected := numPeers * (numPeers - 1)
-
-	// adjust according to timeouts
-	timeout := 50 * time.Second
-	timeoutChan := time.After(timeout)
-	ticker := time.NewTicker(time.Second)
-	defer ticker.Stop()
-loop:
-	for {
-		select {
-		case <-timeoutChan:
-			t.Fatalf("waiting for expected connections timeout after %s", timeout.String())
-			break loop
-		case <-ticker.C:
-			totalConnected := 0
-			for _, engine := range engines {
-				totalConnected += getConnectedPeers(engine)
-			}
-			if totalConnected == expectedConnected {
-				log.Infof("total connected=%d", totalConnected)
-				break loop
-			}
-			log.Infof("total connected=%d", totalConnected)
-		}
-	}
-	// cleanup test
-	for n, peerEngine := range engines {
-		t.Logf("stopping peer with interface %s from multipeer test, loopIndex %d", peerEngine.wgInterface.Name(), n)
-		errStop := peerEngine.mgmClient.Close()
-		if errStop != nil {
-			log.Infoln("got error trying to close management clients from engine: ", errStop)
-		}
-		errStop = peerEngine.Stop()
-		if errStop != nil {
-			log.Infoln("got error trying to close testing peers engine: ", errStop)
-		}
-	}
-}
-
 func Test_ParseNATExternalIPMappings(t *testing.T) {
 	ifaceList, err := net.Interfaces()
 	if err != nil {
@@ -1526,187 +1168,6 @@ func TestCompareNetIPLists(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
-func createEngine(ctx context.Context, cancel context.CancelFunc, setupKey string, i int, mgmtAddr string, signalAddr string) (*Engine, error) {
-	key, err := wgtypes.GeneratePrivateKey()
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-	mgmtClient, err := mgmt.NewClient(ctx, mgmtAddr, key, false)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-	signalClient, err := signal.NewClient(ctx, signalAddr, key, false)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-
-	info := system.GetInfo(ctx)
-	resp, err := mgmtClient.Register(setupKey, "", info, nil, nil)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-
-	var ifaceName string
-	if runtime.GOOS == "darwin" {
-		ifaceName = fmt.Sprintf("utun1%d", i)
-	} else {
-		ifaceName = fmt.Sprintf("wt%d", i)
-	}
-
-	wgPort := 33100 + i
-	conf := &EngineConfig{
-		WgIfaceName:  ifaceName,
-		WgAddr:       wgaddr.MustParseWGAddress(resp.PeerConfig.Address),
-		WgPrivateKey: key,
-		WgPort:       wgPort,
-		MTU:          iface.DefaultMTU,
-	}
-
-	relayMgr := relayClient.NewManager(ctx, nil, key.PublicKey().String(), iface.DefaultMTU)
-	e, err := NewEngine(ctx, cancel, conf, EngineServices{
-		SignalClient:   signalClient,
-		MgmClient:      mgmtClient,
-		RelayManager:   relayMgr,
-		StatusRecorder: peer.NewRecorder("https://mgm"),
-	}, MobileDependency{}), nil
-	e.ctx = ctx
-	return e, err
-}
-
-func startSignal(t *testing.T) (*grpc.Server, string, error) {
-	t.Helper()
-
-	s := grpc.NewServer(grpc.KeepaliveEnforcementPolicy(kaep), grpc.KeepaliveParams(kasp))
-
-	lis, err := net.Listen("tcp", "localhost:0")
-	if err != nil {
-		log.Fatalf("failed to listen: %v", err)
-	}
-
-	srv, err := signalServer.NewServer(context.Background(), otel.Meter(""))
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	proto.RegisterSignalExchangeServer(s, srv)
-
-	go func() {
-		if err = s.Serve(lis); err != nil {
-			log.Fatalf("failed to serve: %v", err)
-		}
-	}()
-
-	return s, lis.Addr().String(), nil
-}
-
-func startManagement(t *testing.T, dataDir, testFile string) (*grpc.Server, string, error) {
-	t.Helper()
-
-	config := &config.Config{
-		Stuns:      []*config.Host{},
-		TURNConfig: &config.TURNConfig{},
-		Relay: &config.Relay{
-			Addresses:      []string{"127.0.0.1:1234"},
-			CredentialsTTL: util.Duration{Duration: time.Hour},
-			Secret:         "222222222222222222",
-		},
-		Signal: &config.Host{
-			Proto: "http",
-			URI:   "localhost:10000",
-		},
-		Datadir:    dataDir,
-		HttpConfig: nil,
-	}
-
-	lis, err := net.Listen("tcp", "localhost:0")
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, "", err
-	}
-	s := grpc.NewServer(grpc.KeepaliveEnforcementPolicy(kaep), grpc.KeepaliveParams(kasp))
-
-	store, cleanUp, err := store.NewTestStoreFromSQL(context.Background(), testFile, config.Datadir)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, "", err
-	}
-	t.Cleanup(cleanUp)
-
-	eventStore := &activity.InMemoryEventStore{}
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, "", err
-	}
-
-	permissionsManager := permissions.NewManager(store)
-	peersManager := peers.NewManager(store, permissionsManager)
-	jobManager := job.NewJobManager(nil, store, peersManager)
-
-	cacheStore, err := nbcache.NewStore(context.Background(), 100*time.Millisecond, 300*time.Millisecond, 100)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, "", err
-	}
-
-	ia, _ := validator.NewIntegratedValidator(context.Background(), peersManager, nil, eventStore, cacheStore)
-
-	metrics, err := telemetry.NewDefaultAppMetrics(context.Background())
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	ctrl := gomock.NewController(t)
-	t.Cleanup(ctrl.Finish)
-	settingsMockManager := settings.NewMockManager(ctrl)
-	settingsMockManager.EXPECT().
-		GetSettings(gomock.Any(), gomock.Any(), gomock.Any()).
-		Return(&types.Settings{}, nil).
-		AnyTimes()
-	settingsMockManager.EXPECT().
-		GetExtraSettings(gomock.Any(), gomock.Any()).
-		Return(&types.ExtraSettings{}, nil).
-		AnyTimes()
-
-	groupsManager := groups.NewManagerMock()
-
-	updateManager := update_channel.NewPeersUpdateManager(metrics)
-	requestBuffer := server.NewAccountRequestBuffer(context.Background(), store)
-	networkMapController := controller.NewController(context.Background(), store, metrics, updateManager, requestBuffer, server.MockIntegratedValidator{}, settingsMockManager, "netbird.selfhosted", port_forwarding.NewControllerMock(), manager.NewEphemeralManager(store, peersManager), config)
-	accountManager, err := server.BuildManager(context.Background(), config, store, networkMapController, jobManager, nil, "", eventStore, nil, false, ia, metrics, port_forwarding.NewControllerMock(), settingsMockManager, permissionsManager, false, cacheStore)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, "", err
-	}
-
-	secretsManager, err := nbgrpc.NewTimeBasedAuthSecretsManager(updateManager, config.TURNConfig, config.Relay, settingsMockManager, groupsManager)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, "", err
-	}
-	mgmtServer, err := nbgrpc.NewServer(config, accountManager, settingsMockManager, jobManager, secretsManager, nil, nil, &server.MockIntegratedValidator{}, networkMapController, nil, nil)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, "", err
-	}
-	mgmtProto.RegisterManagementServiceServer(s, mgmtServer)
-	go func() {
-		if err = s.Serve(lis); err != nil {
-			log.Fatalf("failed to serve: %v", err)
-		}
-	}()
-
-	return s, lis.Addr().String(), nil
-}
-
-// getConnectedPeers returns a connection Status or nil if peer connection wasn't found
-func getConnectedPeers(e *Engine) int {
-	e.syncMsgMux.Lock()
-	defer e.syncMsgMux.Unlock()
-	i := 0
-	for _, id := range e.peerStore.PeersPubKey() {
-		conn, _ := e.peerStore.PeerConn(id)
-		if conn.IsConnected() {
-			i++
-		}
-	}
-	return i
-}
-
-func getPeers(e *Engine) int {
-	e.syncMsgMux.Lock()
-	defer e.syncMsgMux.Unlock()
-
-	return len(e.peerStore.PeersPubKey())
-}
-
 func mustEncodePrefix(t *testing.T, p netip.Prefix) []byte {
 	t.Helper()
 	b, err := netiputil.EncodePrefix(p)

client/internal/engine_vnc.go

@@ -0,0 +1,302 @@
+//go:build !js && !ios && !android
+
+package internal
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"net/netip"
+
+	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
+
+	firewallManager "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/firewall/manager"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/approval"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/metrics"
+	nftypes "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/netflow/types"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/peer"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/vnc"
+	vncserver "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/vnc/server"
+	mgmProto "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/management/proto"
+	sshauth "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/sessionauth"
+	sshuserhash "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/sshauth"
+)
+
+type vncServer interface {
+	Start(ctx context.Context, addr netip.AddrPort, network netip.Prefix) error
+	Stop() error
+	ActiveSessions() []vncserver.ActiveSessionInfo
+}
+
+func (e *Engine) setupVNCPortRedirection() error {
+	if e.firewall == nil || e.wgInterface == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	localAddr := e.wgInterface.Address().IP
+	if !localAddr.IsValid() {
+		return errors.New("invalid local NetBird address")
+	}
+
+	if err := e.firewall.AddInboundDNAT(localAddr, firewallManager.ProtocolTCP, vnc.ExternalPort, vnc.InternalPort); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("add VNC port redirection: %w", err)
+	}
+	log.Infof("VNC port redirection: %s:%d -> %s:%d", localAddr, vnc.ExternalPort, localAddr, vnc.InternalPort)
+
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (e *Engine) cleanupVNCPortRedirection() error {
+	if e.firewall == nil || e.wgInterface == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	localAddr := e.wgInterface.Address().IP
+	if !localAddr.IsValid() {
+		return errors.New("invalid local NetBird address")
+	}
+
+	if err := e.firewall.RemoveInboundDNAT(localAddr, firewallManager.ProtocolTCP, vnc.ExternalPort, vnc.InternalPort); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("remove VNC port redirection: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}
+
+// updateVNC handles starting/stopping the VNC server based on the config flag.
+func (e *Engine) updateVNC() error {
+	if !e.config.ServerVNCAllowed {
+		if e.vncSrv != nil {
+			log.Info("VNC server disabled, stopping")
+		}
+		return e.stopVNCServer()
+	}
+
+	if e.config.BlockInbound {
+		log.Info("VNC server disabled because inbound connections are blocked")
+		return e.stopVNCServer()
+	}
+
+	if e.vncSrv != nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	return e.startVNCServer()
+}
+
+func (e *Engine) startVNCServer() error {
+	if e.wgInterface == nil {
+		return errors.New("wg interface not initialized")
+	}
+
+	capturer, injector, ok := newPlatformVNC()
+	if !ok {
+		log.Debug("VNC server not supported on this platform")
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	netbirdIP := e.wgInterface.Address().IP
+
+	var sessionRecorder func(vncserver.SessionTick)
+	if e.clientMetrics != nil {
+		sessionRecorder = func(t vncserver.SessionTick) {
+			e.clientMetrics.RecordVNCSessionTick(e.ctx, metrics.VNCSessionTick{
+				Period:        t.Period,
+				BytesOut:      t.BytesOut,
+				Writes:        t.Writes,
+				FBUs:          t.FBUs,
+				MaxFBUBytes:   t.MaxFBUBytes,
+				MaxFBURects:   t.MaxFBURects,
+				MaxWriteBytes: t.MaxWriteBytes,
+				WriteNanos:    t.WriteNanos,
+			})
+		}
+	}
+	serviceMode := vncNeedsServiceMode()
+	if serviceMode {
+		log.Info("VNC: running as system service, enabling service mode (per-session agent proxy)")
+	}
+	requireApproval := e.config.DisableVNCApproval == nil || !*e.config.DisableVNCApproval
+	srv := vncserver.New(vncserver.Config{
+		Capturer:        capturer,
+		Injector:        injector,
+		IdentityKey:     e.config.WgPrivateKey[:],
+		ServiceMode:     serviceMode,
+		SessionRecorder: sessionRecorder,
+		NetstackNet:     e.wgInterface.GetNet(),
+		RequireApproval: requireApproval,
+		Approver:        &vncApprover{broker: e.approvalBroker, statusRecorder: e.statusRecorder},
+	})
+
+	listenAddr := netip.AddrPortFrom(netbirdIP, vnc.InternalPort)
+	network := e.wgInterface.Address().Network
+	if err := srv.Start(e.ctx, listenAddr, network); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("start VNC server: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	e.vncSrv = srv
+
+	if netstackNet := e.wgInterface.GetNet(); netstackNet != nil {
+		if registrar, ok := e.firewall.(interface {
+			RegisterNetstackService(protocol nftypes.Protocol, port uint16)
+		}); ok {
+			registrar.RegisterNetstackService(nftypes.TCP, vnc.InternalPort)
+			log.Debugf("registered VNC service with netstack for TCP:%d", vnc.InternalPort)
+		}
+	}
+
+	if err := e.setupVNCPortRedirection(); err != nil {
+		log.Warnf("setup VNC port redirection: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	log.Info("VNC server enabled")
+	return nil
+}
+
+// updateVNCServerAuth updates VNC fine-grained access control from management.
+// A nil vncAuth clears all authorized users and session pubkeys so management
+// can revoke access by omitting the field on the next sync.
+func (e *Engine) updateVNCServerAuth(vncAuth *mgmProto.VNCAuth) {
+	if e.vncSrv == nil {
+		return
+	}
+
+	vncSrv, ok := e.vncSrv.(*vncserver.Server)
+	if !ok {
+		return
+	}
+
+	if vncAuth == nil {
+		vncSrv.UpdateVNCAuth(&sshauth.Config{})
+		return
+	}
+
+	protoUsers := vncAuth.GetAuthorizedUsers()
+	authorizedUsers := make([]sshuserhash.UserIDHash, len(protoUsers))
+	for i, hash := range protoUsers {
+		if len(hash) != 16 {
+			log.Warnf("invalid VNC auth hash length %d, expected 16", len(hash))
+			return
+		}
+		authorizedUsers[i] = sshuserhash.UserIDHash(hash)
+	}
+
+	machineUsers := make(map[string][]uint32)
+	for osUser, indexes := range vncAuth.GetMachineUsers() {
+		machineUsers[osUser] = indexes.GetIndexes()
+	}
+
+	sessionPubKeys := make([]sshauth.SessionPubKey, 0, len(vncAuth.GetSessionPubKeys()))
+	for _, pk := range vncAuth.GetSessionPubKeys() {
+		pub := pk.GetPubKey()
+		if len(pub) != 32 {
+			log.Warnf("VNC session pubkey wrong length %d", len(pub))
+			continue
+		}
+		hash := pk.GetUserIdHash()
+		if len(hash) != 16 {
+			log.Warnf("VNC session user id hash wrong length %d", len(hash))
+			continue
+		}
+		sessionPubKeys = append(sessionPubKeys, sshauth.SessionPubKey{
+			PubKey:      pub,
+			UserIDHash:  sshuserhash.UserIDHash(hash),
+			DisplayName: pk.GetDisplayName(),
+		})
+	}
+
+	vncSrv.UpdateVNCAuth(&sshauth.Config{
+		AuthorizedUsers: authorizedUsers,
+		MachineUsers:    machineUsers,
+		SessionPubKeys:  sessionPubKeys,
+	})
+}
+
+// GetVNCServerStatus returns whether the VNC server is running and the list
+// of active VNC sessions. The pointer is captured under syncMsgMux so a
+// concurrent updateVNC/stopVNCServer cannot swap it out between the nil
+// check and the ActiveSessions call.
+func (e *Engine) GetVNCServerStatus() (enabled bool, sessions []vncserver.ActiveSessionInfo) {
+	e.syncMsgMux.Lock()
+	vncSrv := e.vncSrv
+	e.syncMsgMux.Unlock()
+	if vncSrv == nil {
+		return false, nil
+	}
+	return true, vncSrv.ActiveSessions()
+}
+
+func (e *Engine) stopVNCServer() error {
+	if e.vncSrv == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	if err := e.cleanupVNCPortRedirection(); err != nil {
+		log.Warnf("cleanup VNC port redirection: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	if e.wgInterface != nil && e.wgInterface.GetNet() != nil {
+		if registrar, ok := e.firewall.(interface {
+			UnregisterNetstackService(protocol nftypes.Protocol, port uint16)
+		}); ok {
+			registrar.UnregisterNetstackService(nftypes.TCP, vnc.InternalPort)
+		}
+	}
+
+	log.Info("stopping VNC server")
+	err := e.vncSrv.Stop()
+	e.vncSrv = nil
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("stop VNC server: %w", err)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// vncApprover adapts the generic approval.Broker for the VNC server.
+type vncApprover struct {
+	broker         *approval.Broker
+	statusRecorder *peer.Status
+}
+
+func (a *vncApprover) Request(ctx context.Context, info vncserver.ApprovalInfo) (vncserver.ApprovalDecision, error) {
+	// Resolve the source overlay IP to a peer FQDN for the prompt label.
+	if info.PeerName == "" && info.SourceIP != "" && a.statusRecorder != nil {
+		if fqdn, ok := a.statusRecorder.PeerByIP(info.SourceIP); ok {
+			info.PeerName = fqdn
+		}
+	}
+	subject := fmt.Sprintf("VNC connection from %s", displayPeer(info))
+	meta := map[string]string{
+		"peer_name":   info.PeerName,
+		"peer_pubkey": info.PeerPubKey,
+		"source_ip":   info.SourceIP,
+		"mode":        info.Mode,
+		"username":    info.Username,
+		"initiator":   info.Initiator,
+	}
+	d, err := a.broker.Request(ctx, approval.Prompt{
+		Kind:     approval.KindVNC,
+		Subject:  subject,
+		Metadata: meta,
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		return vncserver.ApprovalDecision{}, err
+	}
+	return vncserver.ApprovalDecision{ViewOnly: d.ViewOnly}, nil
+}
+
+func displayPeer(info vncserver.ApprovalInfo) string {
+	if info.Initiator != "" {
+		return info.Initiator
+	}
+	if info.PeerName != "" {
+		return info.PeerName
+	}
+	if info.SourceIP != "" {
+		return info.SourceIP
+	}
+	if info.PeerPubKey != "" {
+		return info.PeerPubKey
+	}
+	return "unknown peer"
+}

client/internal/engine_vnc_console_freebsd.go

@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+//go:build freebsd
+
+package internal
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+
+	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
+
+	vncserver "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/vnc/server"
+)
+
+// newConsoleVNC builds the FreeBSD console fallback: vt(4) framebuffer
+// for capture, /dev/uinput for input. The uinput device requires the
+// `uinput` kernel module (`kldload uinput`); without it, input init
+// fails and we drop to a stub injector so the user still gets a
+// view-only screen mirror.
+func newConsoleVNC() (vncserver.ScreenCapturer, vncserver.InputInjector, error) {
+	poller := vncserver.NewFBPoller("")
+	w, h := poller.Width(), poller.Height()
+	if w == 0 || h == 0 {
+		poller.Close()
+		return nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("vt framebuffer init failed (vt may not allow mmap on this driver)")
+	}
+	if inj, err := vncserver.NewUInputInjector(w, h); err == nil {
+		return poller, inj, nil
+	} else {
+		log.Infof("VNC console: uinput unavailable (%v); view-only mode. Run `kldload uinput` to enable input.", err)
+		return poller, &vncserver.StubInputInjector{}, nil
+	}
+}

client/internal/engine_vnc_console_linux.go

@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+//go:build linux && !android
+
+package internal
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+
+	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
+
+	vncserver "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/vnc/server"
+)
+
+// newConsoleVNC builds a framebuffer + uinput VNC backend for boxes
+// without a running X server. Used as the auto-fallback when
+// newPlatformVNC can't reach X. Returns an error when /dev/fb0 or
+// /dev/uinput aren't usable so the caller can drop back to a stub.
+func newConsoleVNC() (vncserver.ScreenCapturer, vncserver.InputInjector, error) {
+	poller := vncserver.NewFBPoller("")
+	w, h := poller.Width(), poller.Height()
+	if w == 0 || h == 0 {
+		poller.Close()
+		return nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("framebuffer capturer init failed (is /dev/fb0 readable?)")
+	}
+	inj, err := vncserver.NewUInputInjector(w, h)
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Debugf("uinput unavailable, falling back to view-only VNC: %v", err)
+		return poller, &vncserver.StubInputInjector{}, nil
+	}
+	return poller, inj, nil
+}

client/internal/engine_vnc_darwin.go

@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+//go:build darwin && !ios
+
+package internal
+
+import (
+	"os"
+
+	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
+
+	vncserver "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/vnc/server"
+)
+
+func newPlatformVNC() (vncserver.ScreenCapturer, vncserver.InputInjector, bool) {
+	capturer := vncserver.NewMacPoller()
+	// Prompt for Screen Recording at server-enable time rather than first
+	// client-connect. The native prompt is far easier for users to act on
+	// in the moment they toggled VNC on than later when "the screen looks
+	// like wallpaper" would otherwise be the only clue.
+	vncserver.PrimeScreenCapturePermission()
+	injector, err := vncserver.NewMacInputInjector()
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Debugf("VNC: macOS input injector: %v", err)
+		return capturer, &vncserver.StubInputInjector{}, true
+	}
+	return capturer, injector, true
+}
+
+// vncNeedsServiceMode reports whether the running process is a system
+// LaunchDaemon (root, parented by launchd). Daemons sit in the global
+// bootstrap namespace and cannot talk to WindowServer; we route capture
+// through a per-user agent in that case.
+func vncNeedsServiceMode() bool {
+	return os.Geteuid() == 0 && os.Getppid() == 1
+}

client/internal/engine_vnc_stub.go

@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+//go:build js || ios || android
+
+package internal
+
+import (
+	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
+
+	mgmProto "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/management/proto"
+)
+
+type vncServer interface{}
+
+func (e *Engine) updateVNC() error { return nil }
+
+func (e *Engine) updateVNCServerAuth(auth *mgmProto.VNCAuth) {
+	if auth == nil {
+		return
+	}
+	log.Debugf("ignoring VNC auth push on platform without a VNC server: %d session pubkeys, %d authorized users",
+		len(auth.GetSessionPubKeys()), len(auth.GetAuthorizedUsers()))
+}
+
+func (e *Engine) stopVNCServer() error { return nil }

client/internal/engine_vnc_windows.go

@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+//go:build windows
+
+package internal
+
+import vncserver "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/vnc/server"
+
+func newPlatformVNC() (vncserver.ScreenCapturer, vncserver.InputInjector, bool) {
+	return vncserver.NewDesktopCapturer(), vncserver.NewWindowsInputInjector(), true
+}
+
+func vncNeedsServiceMode() bool {
+	return vncserver.GetCurrentSessionID() == 0
+}

client/internal/engine_vnc_x11.go

@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+//go:build (linux && !android) || freebsd
+
+package internal
+
+import (
+	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
+
+	vncserver "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/vnc/server"
+)
+
+func newPlatformVNC() (vncserver.ScreenCapturer, vncserver.InputInjector, bool) {
+	// Prefer X11 when an X server is reachable. NewX11InputInjector probes
+	// DISPLAY (and /proc) eagerly, so a non-nil error here means no X.
+	injector, err := vncserver.NewX11InputInjector("", "", "")
+	if err == nil {
+		return vncserver.NewX11Poller("", ""), injector, true
+	}
+	log.Debugf("VNC: X11 not available: %v", err)
+
+	// Fallback for headless / pre-X states (kernel console, login manager
+	// without X, physical server in recovery): stream the framebuffer and
+	// inject input via /dev/uinput.
+	consoleCap, consoleInj, err := newConsoleVNC()
+	if err == nil {
+		log.Infof("VNC: using framebuffer console capture (%dx%d)", consoleCap.Width(), consoleCap.Height())
+		return consoleCap, consoleInj, true
+	}
+	log.Debugf("VNC: framebuffer console fallback unavailable: %v", err)
+
+	return &vncserver.StubCapturer{}, &vncserver.StubInputInjector{}, false
+}
+
+func vncNeedsServiceMode() bool {
+	return false
+}

client/internal/metrics/influxdb.go

@@ -120,6 +120,36 @@ func (m *influxDBMetrics) RecordSyncDuration(_ context.Context, agentInfo AgentI
 	m.trimLocked()
 }
 
+func (m *influxDBMetrics) RecordVNCSessionTick(_ context.Context, agentInfo AgentInfo, tick VNCSessionTick) {
+	tags := fmt.Sprintf("deployment_type=%s,version=%s,os=%s,arch=%s,peer_id=%s",
+		agentInfo.DeploymentType.String(),
+		agentInfo.Version,
+		agentInfo.OS,
+		agentInfo.Arch,
+		agentInfo.peerID,
+	)
+
+	m.mu.Lock()
+	defer m.mu.Unlock()
+
+	m.samples = append(m.samples, influxSample{
+		measurement: "netbird_vnc_traffic",
+		tags:        tags,
+		fields: map[string]float64{
+			"period_seconds":     tick.Period.Seconds(),
+			"bytes_out":          float64(tick.BytesOut),
+			"writes":             float64(tick.Writes),
+			"fbus":               float64(tick.FBUs),
+			"max_fbu_bytes":      float64(tick.MaxFBUBytes),
+			"max_fbu_rects":      float64(tick.MaxFBURects),
+			"max_write_bytes":    float64(tick.MaxWriteBytes),
+			"write_time_seconds": float64(tick.WriteNanos) / 1e9,
+		},
+		timestamp: time.Now(),
+	})
+	m.trimLocked()
+}
+
 func (m *influxDBMetrics) RecordLoginDuration(_ context.Context, agentInfo AgentInfo, duration time.Duration, success bool) {
 	result := "success"
 	if !success {

client/internal/metrics/metrics.go

@@ -59,6 +59,11 @@ type metricsImplementation interface {
 	// RecordLoginDuration records how long the login to management took
 	RecordLoginDuration(ctx context.Context, agentInfo AgentInfo, duration time.Duration, success bool)
 
+	// RecordVNCSessionTick records a periodic snapshot of one VNC
+	// session's wire activity. Called once per metricsConn tick interval
+	// (and once at session close), only when the tick saw activity.
+	RecordVNCSessionTick(ctx context.Context, agentInfo AgentInfo, tick VNCSessionTick)
+
 	// Export exports metrics in InfluxDB line protocol format
 	Export(w io.Writer) error
 
@@ -78,6 +83,21 @@ type ClientMetrics struct {
 	pushCancel context.CancelFunc
 }
 
+// VNCSessionTick is one sampling slice of a VNC session's wire activity.
+// BytesOut / Writes / FBUs / WriteNanos are deltas observed during this
+// tick; Max* fields are the high-water marks observed during the tick.
+// Period is the wall-clock duration the deltas cover.
+type VNCSessionTick struct {
+	Period        time.Duration
+	BytesOut      uint64
+	Writes        uint64
+	FBUs          uint64
+	MaxFBUBytes   uint64
+	MaxFBURects   uint64
+	MaxWriteBytes uint64
+	WriteNanos    uint64
+}
+
 // ConnectionStageTimestamps holds timestamps for each connection stage
 type ConnectionStageTimestamps struct {
 	SignalingReceived  time.Time // First signal received from remote peer (both initial and reconnection)
@@ -127,6 +147,17 @@ func (c *ClientMetrics) RecordSyncDuration(ctx context.Context, duration time.Du
 	c.impl.RecordSyncDuration(ctx, agentInfo, duration)
 }
 
+// RecordVNCSessionTick records a periodic snapshot of one VNC session.
+func (c *ClientMetrics) RecordVNCSessionTick(ctx context.Context, tick VNCSessionTick) {
+	if c == nil {
+		return
+	}
+	c.mu.RLock()
+	agentInfo := c.agentInfo
+	c.mu.RUnlock()
+	c.impl.RecordVNCSessionTick(ctx, agentInfo, tick)
+}
+
 // RecordLoginDuration records how long the login to management server took
 func (c *ClientMetrics) RecordLoginDuration(ctx context.Context, duration time.Duration, success bool) {
 	if c == nil {

client/internal/metrics/push_test.go

@@ -73,6 +73,9 @@ func (m *mockMetrics) RecordSyncDuration(_ context.Context, _ AgentInfo, _ time.
 func (m *mockMetrics) RecordLoginDuration(_ context.Context, _ AgentInfo, _ time.Duration, _ bool) {
 }
 
+func (m *mockMetrics) RecordVNCSessionTick(_ context.Context, _ AgentInfo, _ VNCSessionTick) {
+}
+
 func (m *mockMetrics) Export(w io.Writer) error {
 	if m.exportData != "" {
 		_, err := w.Write([]byte(m.exportData))

client/internal/peer/status.go

@@ -1241,6 +1241,15 @@ func (d *Status) SubscribeToEvents() *EventSubscription {
 	}
 }
 
+// HasEventSubscribers reports whether any client is currently subscribed
+// to the daemon's SystemEvent stream. Used by the VNC approval broker to
+// fail closed when no UI is connected to prompt the user.
+func (d *Status) HasEventSubscribers() bool {
+	d.eventMux.Lock()
+	defer d.eventMux.Unlock()
+	return len(d.eventStreams) > 0
+}
+
 // UnsubscribeFromEvents removes an event subscription
 func (d *Status) UnsubscribeFromEvents(sub *EventSubscription) {
 	if sub == nil {

client/internal/profilemanager/config.go

@@ -70,6 +70,8 @@ type ConfigInput struct {
 	StateFilePath                 string
 	PreSharedKey                  *string
 	ServerSSHAllowed              *bool
+	ServerVNCAllowed              *bool
+	DisableVNCApproval            *bool
 	EnableSSHRoot                 *bool
 	EnableSSHSFTP                 *bool
 	EnableSSHLocalPortForwarding  *bool
@@ -125,6 +127,8 @@ type Config struct {
 	RosenpassEnabled              bool
 	RosenpassPermissive           bool
 	ServerSSHAllowed              *bool
+	ServerVNCAllowed              *bool
+	DisableVNCApproval            *bool
 	EnableSSHRoot                 *bool
 	EnableSSHSFTP                 *bool
 	EnableSSHLocalPortForwarding  *bool
@@ -454,6 +458,33 @@ func (config *Config) apply(input ConfigInput) (updated bool, err error) {
 		updated = true
 	}
 
+	if input.ServerVNCAllowed != nil {
+		if config.ServerVNCAllowed == nil || *input.ServerVNCAllowed != *config.ServerVNCAllowed {
+			if *input.ServerVNCAllowed {
+				log.Infof("enabling VNC server")
+			} else {
+				log.Infof("disabling VNC server")
+			}
+			config.ServerVNCAllowed = input.ServerVNCAllowed
+			updated = true
+		}
+	} else if config.ServerVNCAllowed == nil {
+		config.ServerVNCAllowed = util.False()
+		updated = true
+	}
+
+	if input.DisableVNCApproval != nil {
+		if config.DisableVNCApproval == nil || *input.DisableVNCApproval != *config.DisableVNCApproval {
+			if *input.DisableVNCApproval {
+				log.Infof("disabling VNC connection approval prompt")
+			} else {
+				log.Infof("enabling VNC connection approval prompt")
+			}
+			config.DisableVNCApproval = input.DisableVNCApproval
+			updated = true
+		}
+	}
+
 	if input.EnableSSHRoot != nil && input.EnableSSHRoot != config.EnableSSHRoot {
 		if *input.EnableSSHRoot {
 			log.Infof("enabling SSH root login")

client/internal/routemanager/manager_test.go

@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+//go:build privileged
+
 package routemanager
 
 import (

client/internal/routemanager/systemops/rt_tables_linux_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,69 @@
+//go:build linux && !android
+
+package systemops
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"os"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+)
+
+func TestEntryExists(t *testing.T) {
+	tempDir := t.TempDir()
+	tempFilePath := fmt.Sprintf("%s/rt_tables", tempDir)
+
+	content := []string{
+		"1000 reserved",
+		fmt.Sprintf("%d %s", NetbirdVPNTableID, NetbirdVPNTableName),
+		"9999 other_table",
+	}
+	require.NoError(t, os.WriteFile(tempFilePath, []byte(strings.Join(content, "\n")), 0644))
+
+	file, err := os.Open(tempFilePath)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	defer func() {
+		assert.NoError(t, file.Close())
+	}()
+
+	tests := []struct {
+		name        string
+		id          int
+		shouldExist bool
+		err         error
+	}{
+		{
+			name:        "ExistsWithNetbirdPrefix",
+			id:          7120,
+			shouldExist: true,
+			err:         nil,
+		},
+		{
+			name:        "ExistsWithDifferentName",
+			id:          1000,
+			shouldExist: true,
+			err:         ErrTableIDExists,
+		},
+		{
+			name:        "DoesNotExist",
+			id:          1234,
+			shouldExist: false,
+			err:         nil,
+		},
+	}
+
+	for _, tc := range tests {
+		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			exists, err := entryExists(file, tc.id)
+			if tc.err != nil {
+				assert.ErrorIs(t, err, tc.err)
+			} else {
+				assert.NoError(t, err)
+			}
+			assert.Equal(t, tc.shouldExist, exists)
+		})
+	}
+}

client/internal/routemanager/systemops/systemops_bsd_privileged_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,191 @@
+//go:build (darwin || dragonfly || freebsd || netbsd || openbsd) && privileged
+
+package systemops
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"net"
+	"net/netip"
+	"os/exec"
+	"regexp"
+	"runtime"
+	"strings"
+	"sync"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+)
+
+func init() {
+	testCases = append(testCases, []testCase{
+		{
+			name:              "To more specific route without custom dialer via vpn",
+			expectedInterface: expectedVPNint,
+			dialer:            &net.Dialer{},
+			expectedPacket:    createPacketExpectation("100.64.0.1", 12345, "10.10.0.2", 53),
+		},
+	}...)
+}
+
+func TestConcurrentRoutes(t *testing.T) {
+	baseIP := netip.MustParseAddr("192.0.2.0")
+
+	var intf *net.Interface
+	var nexthop Nexthop
+
+	_, intf = setupDummyInterface(t)
+	nexthop = Nexthop{netip.Addr{}, intf}
+
+	r := New(nil, nil)
+
+	var wg sync.WaitGroup
+	for i := 0; i < 1024; i++ {
+		wg.Add(1)
+		go func(ip netip.Addr) {
+			defer wg.Done()
+			prefix := netip.PrefixFrom(ip, 32)
+			if err := r.addToRouteTable(prefix, nexthop); err != nil {
+				t.Errorf("Failed to add route for %s: %v", prefix, err)
+			}
+		}(baseIP)
+		baseIP = baseIP.Next()
+	}
+
+	wg.Wait()
+
+	baseIP = netip.MustParseAddr("192.0.2.0")
+
+	for i := 0; i < 1024; i++ {
+		wg.Add(1)
+		go func(ip netip.Addr) {
+			defer wg.Done()
+			prefix := netip.PrefixFrom(ip, 32)
+			if err := r.removeFromRouteTable(prefix, nexthop); err != nil {
+				t.Errorf("Failed to remove route for %s: %v", prefix, err)
+			}
+		}(baseIP)
+		baseIP = baseIP.Next()
+	}
+
+	wg.Wait()
+}
+
+func createAndSetupDummyInterface(t *testing.T, intf string, ipAddressCIDR string) string {
+	t.Helper()
+
+	if runtime.GOOS == "darwin" {
+		err := exec.Command("ifconfig", intf, "alias", ipAddressCIDR).Run()
+		require.NoError(t, err, "Failed to create loopback alias")
+
+		t.Cleanup(func() {
+			err := exec.Command("ifconfig", intf, ipAddressCIDR, "-alias").Run()
+			assert.NoError(t, err, "Failed to remove loopback alias")
+		})
+
+		return intf
+	}
+
+	prefix, err := netip.ParsePrefix(ipAddressCIDR)
+	require.NoError(t, err, "Failed to parse prefix")
+
+	netIntf, err := net.InterfaceByName(intf)
+	require.NoError(t, err, "Failed to get interface by name")
+
+	nexthop := Nexthop{netip.Addr{}, netIntf}
+
+	r := New(nil, nil)
+	err = r.addToRouteTable(prefix, nexthop)
+	require.NoError(t, err, "Failed to add route to table")
+
+	t.Cleanup(func() {
+		err := r.removeFromRouteTable(prefix, nexthop)
+		assert.NoError(t, err, "Failed to remove route from table")
+	})
+
+	return intf
+}
+
+func addDummyRoute(t *testing.T, dstCIDR string, gw netip.Addr, _ string) {
+	t.Helper()
+
+	var originalNexthop net.IP
+	if dstCIDR == "0.0.0.0/0" {
+		var err error
+		originalNexthop, err = fetchOriginalGateway()
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Logf("Failed to fetch original gateway: %v", err)
+		}
+
+		if output, err := exec.Command("route", "delete", "-net", dstCIDR).CombinedOutput(); err != nil {
+			t.Logf("Failed to delete route: %v, output: %s", err, output)
+		}
+	}
+
+	t.Cleanup(func() {
+		if originalNexthop != nil {
+			err := exec.Command("route", "add", "-net", dstCIDR, originalNexthop.String()).Run()
+			assert.NoError(t, err, "Failed to restore original route")
+		}
+	})
+
+	err := exec.Command("route", "add", "-net", dstCIDR, gw.String()).Run()
+	require.NoError(t, err, "Failed to add route")
+
+	t.Cleanup(func() {
+		err := exec.Command("route", "delete", "-net", dstCIDR).Run()
+		assert.NoError(t, err, "Failed to remove route")
+	})
+}
+
+func fetchOriginalGateway() (net.IP, error) {
+	output, err := exec.Command("route", "-n", "get", "default").CombinedOutput()
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	matches := regexp.MustCompile(`gateway: (\S+)`).FindStringSubmatch(string(output))
+	if len(matches) == 0 {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("gateway not found")
+	}
+
+	return net.ParseIP(matches[1]), nil
+}
+
+// setupDummyInterface creates a dummy tun interface for FreeBSD route testing
+func setupDummyInterface(t *testing.T) (netip.Addr, *net.Interface) {
+	t.Helper()
+
+	if runtime.GOOS == "darwin" {
+		return netip.AddrFrom4([4]byte{192, 168, 1, 2}), &net.Interface{Name: "lo0"}
+	}
+
+	output, err := exec.Command("ifconfig", "tun", "create").CombinedOutput()
+	require.NoError(t, err, "Failed to create tun interface: %s", string(output))
+
+	tunName := strings.TrimSpace(string(output))
+
+	output, err = exec.Command("ifconfig", tunName, "192.168.1.1", "netmask", "255.255.0.0", "192.168.1.2", "up").CombinedOutput()
+	require.NoError(t, err, "Failed to configure tun interface: %s", string(output))
+
+	intf, err := net.InterfaceByName(tunName)
+	require.NoError(t, err, "Failed to get interface by name")
+
+	t.Cleanup(func() {
+		if err := exec.Command("ifconfig", tunName, "destroy").Run(); err != nil {
+			t.Logf("Failed to destroy tun interface %s: %v", tunName, err)
+		}
+	})
+
+	return netip.AddrFrom4([4]byte{192, 168, 1, 2}), intf
+}
+
+func setupDummyInterfacesAndRoutes(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Helper()
+
+	defaultDummy := createAndSetupDummyInterface(t, expectedExternalInt, "192.168.0.1/24")
+	addDummyRoute(t, "0.0.0.0/0", netip.AddrFrom4([4]byte{192, 168, 0, 1}), defaultDummy)
+
+	otherDummy := createAndSetupDummyInterface(t, expectedInternalInt, "192.168.1.1/24")
+	addDummyRoute(t, "10.0.0.0/8", netip.AddrFrom4([4]byte{192, 168, 1, 1}), otherDummy)
+}

client/internal/routemanager/systemops/systemops_bsd_test.go

@@ -3,79 +3,24 @@
 package systemops
 
 import (
-	"fmt"
-	"net"
-	"net/netip"
-	"os/exec"
-	"regexp"
-	"runtime"
-	"strings"
-	"sync"
 	"testing"
 
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
-	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
 	"golang.org/x/net/route"
 )
 
+// Interface names used by the shared routing test fixtures. Kept untagged (no
+// privileged build tag) so the non-privileged test files in this package compile.
+//
+//nolint:unused // consumed by the privileged-tagged routing tests
 var expectedVPNint = "utun100"
+
+//nolint:unused // consumed by the privileged-tagged routing tests
 var expectedExternalInt = "lo0"
+
+//nolint:unused // consumed by the privileged-tagged routing tests
 var expectedInternalInt = "lo0"
 
-func init() {
-	testCases = append(testCases, []testCase{
-		{
-			name:              "To more specific route without custom dialer via vpn",
-			expectedInterface: expectedVPNint,
-			dialer:            &net.Dialer{},
-			expectedPacket:    createPacketExpectation("100.64.0.1", 12345, "10.10.0.2", 53),
-		},
-	}...)
-}
-
-func TestConcurrentRoutes(t *testing.T) {
-	baseIP := netip.MustParseAddr("192.0.2.0")
-
-	var intf *net.Interface
-	var nexthop Nexthop
-
-	_, intf = setupDummyInterface(t)
-	nexthop = Nexthop{netip.Addr{}, intf}
-
-	r := New(nil, nil)
-
-	var wg sync.WaitGroup
-	for i := 0; i < 1024; i++ {
-		wg.Add(1)
-		go func(ip netip.Addr) {
-			defer wg.Done()
-			prefix := netip.PrefixFrom(ip, 32)
-			if err := r.addToRouteTable(prefix, nexthop); err != nil {
-				t.Errorf("Failed to add route for %s: %v", prefix, err)
-			}
-		}(baseIP)
-		baseIP = baseIP.Next()
-	}
-
-	wg.Wait()
-
-	baseIP = netip.MustParseAddr("192.0.2.0")
-
-	for i := 0; i < 1024; i++ {
-		wg.Add(1)
-		go func(ip netip.Addr) {
-			defer wg.Done()
-			prefix := netip.PrefixFrom(ip, 32)
-			if err := r.removeFromRouteTable(prefix, nexthop); err != nil {
-				t.Errorf("Failed to remove route for %s: %v", prefix, err)
-			}
-		}(baseIP)
-		baseIP = baseIP.Next()
-	}
-
-	wg.Wait()
-}
-
 func TestBits(t *testing.T) {
 	tests := []struct {
 		name    string
@@ -122,122 +67,3 @@ func TestBits(t *testing.T) {
 		})
 	}
 }
-
-func createAndSetupDummyInterface(t *testing.T, intf string, ipAddressCIDR string) string {
-	t.Helper()
-
-	if runtime.GOOS == "darwin" {
-		err := exec.Command("ifconfig", intf, "alias", ipAddressCIDR).Run()
-		require.NoError(t, err, "Failed to create loopback alias")
-
-		t.Cleanup(func() {
-			err := exec.Command("ifconfig", intf, ipAddressCIDR, "-alias").Run()
-			assert.NoError(t, err, "Failed to remove loopback alias")
-		})
-
-		return intf
-	}
-
-	prefix, err := netip.ParsePrefix(ipAddressCIDR)
-	require.NoError(t, err, "Failed to parse prefix")
-
-	netIntf, err := net.InterfaceByName(intf)
-	require.NoError(t, err, "Failed to get interface by name")
-
-	nexthop := Nexthop{netip.Addr{}, netIntf}
-
-	r := New(nil, nil)
-	err = r.addToRouteTable(prefix, nexthop)
-	require.NoError(t, err, "Failed to add route to table")
-
-	t.Cleanup(func() {
-		err := r.removeFromRouteTable(prefix, nexthop)
-		assert.NoError(t, err, "Failed to remove route from table")
-	})
-
-	return intf
-}
-
-func addDummyRoute(t *testing.T, dstCIDR string, gw netip.Addr, _ string) {
-	t.Helper()
-
-	var originalNexthop net.IP
-	if dstCIDR == "0.0.0.0/0" {
-		var err error
-		originalNexthop, err = fetchOriginalGateway()
-		if err != nil {
-			t.Logf("Failed to fetch original gateway: %v", err)
-		}
-
-		if output, err := exec.Command("route", "delete", "-net", dstCIDR).CombinedOutput(); err != nil {
-			t.Logf("Failed to delete route: %v, output: %s", err, output)
-		}
-	}
-
-	t.Cleanup(func() {
-		if originalNexthop != nil {
-			err := exec.Command("route", "add", "-net", dstCIDR, originalNexthop.String()).Run()
-			assert.NoError(t, err, "Failed to restore original route")
-		}
-	})
-
-	err := exec.Command("route", "add", "-net", dstCIDR, gw.String()).Run()
-	require.NoError(t, err, "Failed to add route")
-
-	t.Cleanup(func() {
-		err := exec.Command("route", "delete", "-net", dstCIDR).Run()
-		assert.NoError(t, err, "Failed to remove route")
-	})
-}
-
-func fetchOriginalGateway() (net.IP, error) {
-	output, err := exec.Command("route", "-n", "get", "default").CombinedOutput()
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-
-	matches := regexp.MustCompile(`gateway: (\S+)`).FindStringSubmatch(string(output))
-	if len(matches) == 0 {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("gateway not found")
-	}
-
-	return net.ParseIP(matches[1]), nil
-}
-
-// setupDummyInterface creates a dummy tun interface for FreeBSD route testing
-func setupDummyInterface(t *testing.T) (netip.Addr, *net.Interface) {
-	t.Helper()
-
-	if runtime.GOOS == "darwin" {
-		return netip.AddrFrom4([4]byte{192, 168, 1, 2}), &net.Interface{Name: "lo0"}
-	}
-
-	output, err := exec.Command("ifconfig", "tun", "create").CombinedOutput()
-	require.NoError(t, err, "Failed to create tun interface: %s", string(output))
-
-	tunName := strings.TrimSpace(string(output))
-
-	output, err = exec.Command("ifconfig", tunName, "192.168.1.1", "netmask", "255.255.0.0", "192.168.1.2", "up").CombinedOutput()
-	require.NoError(t, err, "Failed to configure tun interface: %s", string(output))
-
-	intf, err := net.InterfaceByName(tunName)
-	require.NoError(t, err, "Failed to get interface by name")
-
-	t.Cleanup(func() {
-		if err := exec.Command("ifconfig", tunName, "destroy").Run(); err != nil {
-			t.Logf("Failed to destroy tun interface %s: %v", tunName, err)
-		}
-	})
-
-	return netip.AddrFrom4([4]byte{192, 168, 1, 2}), intf
-}
-
-func setupDummyInterfacesAndRoutes(t *testing.T) {
-	t.Helper()
-
-	defaultDummy := createAndSetupDummyInterface(t, expectedExternalInt, "192.168.0.1/24")
-	addDummyRoute(t, "0.0.0.0/0", netip.AddrFrom4([4]byte{192, 168, 0, 1}), defaultDummy)
-
-	otherDummy := createAndSetupDummyInterface(t, expectedInternalInt, "192.168.1.1/24")
-	addDummyRoute(t, "10.0.0.0/8", netip.AddrFrom4([4]byte{192, 168, 1, 1}), otherDummy)
-}

client/internal/routemanager/systemops/systemops_dialer_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+//go:build !android && !ios
+
+package systemops
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"net"
+)
+
+// dialer is shared by the per-platform routing test cases. Kept untagged (no
+// privileged build tag) so the non-privileged test files compile on every platform.
+//
+//nolint:unused // consumed by the privileged-tagged routing tests
+type dialer interface {
+	Dial(network, address string) (net.Conn, error)
+	DialContext(ctx context.Context, network, address string) (net.Conn, error)
+}

client/internal/routemanager/systemops/systemops_generic_test.go

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-//go:build !android && !ios
+//go:build !android && !ios && privileged
 
 package systemops
 
@@ -26,11 +26,6 @@ import (
 	nbnet "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/net"
 )
 
-type dialer interface {
-	Dial(network, address string) (net.Conn, error)
-	DialContext(ctx context.Context, network, address string) (net.Conn, error)
-}
-
 func TestAddVPNRoute(t *testing.T) {
 	testCases := []struct {
 		name        string
@@ -515,125 +510,3 @@ func setupTestEnv(t *testing.T) {
 	// unique route in vpn table
 	setupRouteAndCleanup(t, r, netip.MustParsePrefix("172.16.0.0/12"), intf)
 }
-
-func TestIsVpnRoute(t *testing.T) {
-	tests := []struct {
-		name           string
-		addr           string
-		vpnRoutes      []string
-		localRoutes    []string
-		expectedVpn    bool
-		expectedPrefix netip.Prefix
-	}{
-		{
-			name:           "Match in VPN routes",
-			addr:           "192.168.1.1",
-			vpnRoutes:      []string{"192.168.1.0/24"},
-			localRoutes:    []string{"10.0.0.0/8"},
-			expectedVpn:    true,
-			expectedPrefix: netip.MustParsePrefix("192.168.1.0/24"),
-		},
-		{
-			name:           "Match in local routes",
-			addr:           "10.1.1.1",
-			vpnRoutes:      []string{"192.168.1.0/24"},
-			localRoutes:    []string{"10.0.0.0/8"},
-			expectedVpn:    false,
-			expectedPrefix: netip.MustParsePrefix("10.0.0.0/8"),
-		},
-		{
-			name:           "No match",
-			addr:           "172.16.0.1",
-			vpnRoutes:      []string{"192.168.1.0/24"},
-			localRoutes:    []string{"10.0.0.0/8"},
-			expectedVpn:    false,
-			expectedPrefix: netip.Prefix{},
-		},
-		{
-			name:           "Default route ignored",
-			addr:           "192.168.1.1",
-			vpnRoutes:      []string{"0.0.0.0/0", "192.168.1.0/24"},
-			localRoutes:    []string{"10.0.0.0/8"},
-			expectedVpn:    true,
-			expectedPrefix: netip.MustParsePrefix("192.168.1.0/24"),
-		},
-		{
-			name:           "Default route matches but ignored",
-			addr:           "172.16.1.1",
-			vpnRoutes:      []string{"0.0.0.0/0", "192.168.1.0/24"},
-			localRoutes:    []string{"10.0.0.0/8"},
-			expectedVpn:    false,
-			expectedPrefix: netip.Prefix{},
-		},
-		{
-			name:           "Longest prefix match local",
-			addr:           "192.168.1.1",
-			vpnRoutes:      []string{"192.168.0.0/16"},
-			localRoutes:    []string{"192.168.1.0/24"},
-			expectedVpn:    false,
-			expectedPrefix: netip.MustParsePrefix("192.168.1.0/24"),
-		},
-		{
-			name:           "Longest prefix match local multiple",
-			addr:           "192.168.0.1",
-			vpnRoutes:      []string{"192.168.0.0/16", "192.168.0.0/25", "192.168.0.0/27"},
-			localRoutes:    []string{"192.168.0.0/24", "192.168.0.0/26", "192.168.0.0/28"},
-			expectedVpn:    false,
-			expectedPrefix: netip.MustParsePrefix("192.168.0.0/28"),
-		},
-		{
-			name:           "Longest prefix match vpn",
-			addr:           "192.168.1.1",
-			vpnRoutes:      []string{"192.168.1.0/24"},
-			localRoutes:    []string{"192.168.0.0/16"},
-			expectedVpn:    true,
-			expectedPrefix: netip.MustParsePrefix("192.168.1.0/24"),
-		},
-		{
-			name:           "Longest prefix match vpn multiple",
-			addr:           "192.168.0.1",
-			vpnRoutes:      []string{"192.168.0.0/16", "192.168.0.0/25", "192.168.0.0/27"},
-			localRoutes:    []string{"192.168.0.0/24", "192.168.0.0/26"},
-			expectedVpn:    true,
-			expectedPrefix: netip.MustParsePrefix("192.168.0.0/27"),
-		},
-		{
-			name:           "Duplicate prefix in both",
-			addr:           "192.168.1.1",
-			vpnRoutes:      []string{"192.168.1.0/24"},
-			localRoutes:    []string{"192.168.1.0/24"},
-			expectedVpn:    false,
-			expectedPrefix: netip.MustParsePrefix("192.168.1.0/24"),
-		},
-	}
-
-	for _, tt := range tests {
-		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
-			addr, err := netip.ParseAddr(tt.addr)
-			if err != nil {
-				t.Fatalf("Failed to parse address %s: %v", tt.addr, err)
-			}
-
-			var vpnRoutes, localRoutes []netip.Prefix
-			for _, route := range tt.vpnRoutes {
-				prefix, err := netip.ParsePrefix(route)
-				if err != nil {
-					t.Fatalf("Failed to parse VPN route %s: %v", route, err)
-				}
-				vpnRoutes = append(vpnRoutes, prefix)
-			}
-
-			for _, route := range tt.localRoutes {
-				prefix, err := netip.ParsePrefix(route)
-				if err != nil {
-					t.Fatalf("Failed to parse local route %s: %v", route, err)
-				}
-				localRoutes = append(localRoutes, prefix)
-			}
-
-			isVpn, matchedPrefix := isVpnRoute(addr, vpnRoutes, localRoutes)
-			assert.Equal(t, tt.expectedVpn, isVpn, "isVpnRoute should return expectedVpn value")
-			assert.Equal(t, tt.expectedPrefix, matchedPrefix, "isVpnRoute should return expectedVpn prefix")
-		})
-	}
-}

client/internal/routemanager/systemops/systemops_isvpnroute_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,132 @@
+//go:build !android && !ios
+
+package systemops
+
+import (
+	"net/netip"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
+)
+
+func TestIsVpnRoute(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name           string
+		addr           string
+		vpnRoutes      []string
+		localRoutes    []string
+		expectedVpn    bool
+		expectedPrefix netip.Prefix
+	}{
+		{
+			name:           "Match in VPN routes",
+			addr:           "192.168.1.1",
+			vpnRoutes:      []string{"192.168.1.0/24"},
+			localRoutes:    []string{"10.0.0.0/8"},
+			expectedVpn:    true,
+			expectedPrefix: netip.MustParsePrefix("192.168.1.0/24"),
+		},
+		{
+			name:           "Match in local routes",
+			addr:           "10.1.1.1",
+			vpnRoutes:      []string{"192.168.1.0/24"},
+			localRoutes:    []string{"10.0.0.0/8"},
+			expectedVpn:    false,
+			expectedPrefix: netip.MustParsePrefix("10.0.0.0/8"),
+		},
+		{
+			name:           "No match",
+			addr:           "172.16.0.1",
+			vpnRoutes:      []string{"192.168.1.0/24"},
+			localRoutes:    []string{"10.0.0.0/8"},
+			expectedVpn:    false,
+			expectedPrefix: netip.Prefix{},
+		},
+		{
+			name:           "Default route ignored",
+			addr:           "192.168.1.1",
+			vpnRoutes:      []string{"0.0.0.0/0", "192.168.1.0/24"},
+			localRoutes:    []string{"10.0.0.0/8"},
+			expectedVpn:    true,
+			expectedPrefix: netip.MustParsePrefix("192.168.1.0/24"),
+		},
+		{
+			name:           "Default route matches but ignored",
+			addr:           "172.16.1.1",
+			vpnRoutes:      []string{"0.0.0.0/0", "192.168.1.0/24"},
+			localRoutes:    []string{"10.0.0.0/8"},
+			expectedVpn:    false,
+			expectedPrefix: netip.Prefix{},
+		},
+		{
+			name:           "Longest prefix match local",
+			addr:           "192.168.1.1",
+			vpnRoutes:      []string{"192.168.0.0/16"},
+			localRoutes:    []string{"192.168.1.0/24"},
+			expectedVpn:    false,
+			expectedPrefix: netip.MustParsePrefix("192.168.1.0/24"),
+		},
+		{
+			name:           "Longest prefix match local multiple",
+			addr:           "192.168.0.1",
+			vpnRoutes:      []string{"192.168.0.0/16", "192.168.0.0/25", "192.168.0.0/27"},
+			localRoutes:    []string{"192.168.0.0/24", "192.168.0.0/26", "192.168.0.0/28"},
+			expectedVpn:    false,
+			expectedPrefix: netip.MustParsePrefix("192.168.0.0/28"),
+		},
+		{
+			name:           "Longest prefix match vpn",
+			addr:           "192.168.1.1",
+			vpnRoutes:      []string{"192.168.1.0/24"},
+			localRoutes:    []string{"192.168.0.0/16"},
+			expectedVpn:    true,
+			expectedPrefix: netip.MustParsePrefix("192.168.1.0/24"),
+		},
+		{
+			name:           "Longest prefix match vpn multiple",
+			addr:           "192.168.0.1",
+			vpnRoutes:      []string{"192.168.0.0/16", "192.168.0.0/25", "192.168.0.0/27"},
+			localRoutes:    []string{"192.168.0.0/24", "192.168.0.0/26"},
+			expectedVpn:    true,
+			expectedPrefix: netip.MustParsePrefix("192.168.0.0/27"),
+		},
+		{
+			name:           "Duplicate prefix in both",
+			addr:           "192.168.1.1",
+			vpnRoutes:      []string{"192.168.1.0/24"},
+			localRoutes:    []string{"192.168.1.0/24"},
+			expectedVpn:    false,
+			expectedPrefix: netip.MustParsePrefix("192.168.1.0/24"),
+		},
+	}
+
+	for _, tt := range tests {
+		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			addr, err := netip.ParseAddr(tt.addr)
+			if err != nil {
+				t.Fatalf("Failed to parse address %s: %v", tt.addr, err)
+			}
+
+			var vpnRoutes, localRoutes []netip.Prefix
+			for _, route := range tt.vpnRoutes {
+				prefix, err := netip.ParsePrefix(route)
+				if err != nil {
+					t.Fatalf("Failed to parse VPN route %s: %v", route, err)
+				}
+				vpnRoutes = append(vpnRoutes, prefix)
+			}
+
+			for _, route := range tt.localRoutes {
+				prefix, err := netip.ParsePrefix(route)
+				if err != nil {
+					t.Fatalf("Failed to parse local route %s: %v", route, err)
+				}
+				localRoutes = append(localRoutes, prefix)
+			}
+
+			isVpn, matchedPrefix := isVpnRoute(addr, vpnRoutes, localRoutes)
+			assert.Equal(t, tt.expectedVpn, isVpn, "isVpnRoute should return expectedVpn value")
+			assert.Equal(t, tt.expectedPrefix, matchedPrefix, "isVpnRoute should return expectedVpn prefix")
+		})
+	}
+}

client/internal/routemanager/systemops/systemops_linux_test.go

@@ -1,13 +1,10 @@
-//go:build !android
+//go:build linux && !android && privileged
 
 package systemops
 
 import (
 	"errors"
-	"fmt"
 	"net"
-	"os"
-	"strings"
 	"syscall"
 	"testing"
 
@@ -18,10 +15,6 @@ import (
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/routemanager/vars"
 )
 
-var expectedVPNint = "wgtest0"
-var expectedExternalInt = "dummyext0"
-var expectedInternalInt = "dummyint0"
-
 func init() {
 	testCases = append(testCases, []testCase{
 		{
@@ -33,62 +26,6 @@ func init() {
 	}...)
 }
 
-func TestEntryExists(t *testing.T) {
-	tempDir := t.TempDir()
-	tempFilePath := fmt.Sprintf("%s/rt_tables", tempDir)
-
-	content := []string{
-		"1000 reserved",
-		fmt.Sprintf("%d %s", NetbirdVPNTableID, NetbirdVPNTableName),
-		"9999 other_table",
-	}
-	require.NoError(t, os.WriteFile(tempFilePath, []byte(strings.Join(content, "\n")), 0644))
-
-	file, err := os.Open(tempFilePath)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	defer func() {
-		assert.NoError(t, file.Close())
-	}()
-
-	tests := []struct {
-		name        string
-		id          int
-		shouldExist bool
-		err         error
-	}{
-		{
-			name:        "ExistsWithNetbirdPrefix",
-			id:          7120,
-			shouldExist: true,
-			err:         nil,
-		},
-		{
-			name:        "ExistsWithDifferentName",
-			id:          1000,
-			shouldExist: true,
-			err:         ErrTableIDExists,
-		},
-		{
-			name:        "DoesNotExist",
-			id:          1234,
-			shouldExist: false,
-			err:         nil,
-		},
-	}
-
-	for _, tc := range tests {
-		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
-			exists, err := entryExists(file, tc.id)
-			if tc.err != nil {
-				assert.ErrorIs(t, err, tc.err)
-			} else {
-				assert.NoError(t, err)
-			}
-			assert.Equal(t, tc.shouldExist, exists)
-		})
-	}
-}
-
 func createAndSetupDummyInterface(t *testing.T, interfaceName, ipAddressCIDR string) string {
 	t.Helper()
 

client/internal/routemanager/systemops/systemops_routing_data_linux_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+//go:build linux && !android
+
+package systemops
+
+// Interface names used by the shared routing test fixtures. Kept untagged (no
+// privileged build tag) so the non-privileged test files in this package compile.
+//
+//nolint:unused // consumed by the privileged-tagged routing tests
+var expectedVPNint = "wgtest0"
+
+//nolint:unused // consumed by the privileged-tagged routing tests
+var expectedExternalInt = "dummyext0"
+
+//nolint:unused // consumed by the privileged-tagged routing tests
+var expectedInternalInt = "dummyint0"

client/internal/routemanager/systemops/systemops_routing_data_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,83 @@
+//go:build (linux && !android) || (darwin && !ios) || freebsd || openbsd || netbsd || dragonfly
+
+package systemops
+
+import (
+	"net"
+
+	nbnet "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/net"
+)
+
+// Shared, non-privileged routing test fixtures. The privileged TestRouting (and its
+// per-platform init() appenders) consume these; they live here so the unprivileged
+// BSD/darwin test files compile without the privileged build tag.
+
+type PacketExpectation struct {
+	SrcIP   net.IP
+	DstIP   net.IP
+	SrcPort int
+	DstPort int
+	UDP     bool
+	TCP     bool
+}
+
+//nolint:unused // consumed by the privileged-tagged routing tests
+type testCase struct {
+	name              string
+	expectedInterface string
+	dialer            dialer
+	expectedPacket    PacketExpectation
+}
+
+//nolint:unused // consumed by the privileged-tagged routing tests
+var testCases = []testCase{
+	{
+		name:              "To external host without custom dialer via vpn",
+		expectedInterface: expectedVPNint,
+		dialer:            &net.Dialer{},
+		expectedPacket:    createPacketExpectation("100.64.0.1", 12345, "192.0.2.1", 53),
+	},
+	{
+		name:              "To external host with custom dialer via physical interface",
+		expectedInterface: expectedExternalInt,
+		dialer:            nbnet.NewDialer(),
+		expectedPacket:    createPacketExpectation("192.168.0.1", 12345, "192.0.2.1", 53),
+	},
+
+	{
+		name:              "To duplicate internal route with custom dialer via physical interface",
+		expectedInterface: expectedInternalInt,
+		dialer:            nbnet.NewDialer(),
+		expectedPacket:    createPacketExpectation("192.168.1.1", 12345, "10.0.0.2", 53),
+	},
+	{
+		name:              "To duplicate internal route without custom dialer via physical interface", // local route takes precedence
+		expectedInterface: expectedInternalInt,
+		dialer:            &net.Dialer{},
+		expectedPacket:    createPacketExpectation("192.168.1.1", 12345, "10.0.0.2", 53),
+	},
+
+	{
+		name:              "To unique vpn route with custom dialer via physical interface",
+		expectedInterface: expectedExternalInt,
+		dialer:            nbnet.NewDialer(),
+		expectedPacket:    createPacketExpectation("192.168.0.1", 12345, "172.16.0.2", 53),
+	},
+	{
+		name:              "To unique vpn route without custom dialer via vpn",
+		expectedInterface: expectedVPNint,
+		dialer:            &net.Dialer{},
+		expectedPacket:    createPacketExpectation("100.64.0.1", 12345, "172.16.0.2", 53),
+	},
+}
+
+//nolint:unused // consumed by the privileged-tagged routing tests
+func createPacketExpectation(srcIP string, srcPort int, dstIP string, dstPort int) PacketExpectation {
+	return PacketExpectation{
+		SrcIP:   net.ParseIP(srcIP),
+		DstIP:   net.ParseIP(dstIP),
+		SrcPort: srcPort,
+		DstPort: dstPort,
+		UDP:     true,
+	}
+}

client/internal/routemanager/systemops/systemops_unix_test.go

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-//go:build (linux && !android) || (darwin && !ios) || freebsd || openbsd || netbsd || dragonfly
+//go:build ((linux && !android) || (darwin && !ios) || freebsd || openbsd || netbsd || dragonfly) && privileged
 
 package systemops
 
@@ -20,63 +20,6 @@ import (
 	nbnet "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/net"
 )
 
-type PacketExpectation struct {
-	SrcIP   net.IP
-	DstIP   net.IP
-	SrcPort int
-	DstPort int
-	UDP     bool
-	TCP     bool
-}
-
-type testCase struct {
-	name              string
-	expectedInterface string
-	dialer            dialer
-	expectedPacket    PacketExpectation
-}
-
-var testCases = []testCase{
-	{
-		name:              "To external host without custom dialer via vpn",
-		expectedInterface: expectedVPNint,
-		dialer:            &net.Dialer{},
-		expectedPacket:    createPacketExpectation("100.64.0.1", 12345, "192.0.2.1", 53),
-	},
-	{
-		name:              "To external host with custom dialer via physical interface",
-		expectedInterface: expectedExternalInt,
-		dialer:            nbnet.NewDialer(),
-		expectedPacket:    createPacketExpectation("192.168.0.1", 12345, "192.0.2.1", 53),
-	},
-
-	{
-		name:              "To duplicate internal route with custom dialer via physical interface",
-		expectedInterface: expectedInternalInt,
-		dialer:            nbnet.NewDialer(),
-		expectedPacket:    createPacketExpectation("192.168.1.1", 12345, "10.0.0.2", 53),
-	},
-	{
-		name:              "To duplicate internal route without custom dialer via physical interface", // local route takes precedence
-		expectedInterface: expectedInternalInt,
-		dialer:            &net.Dialer{},
-		expectedPacket:    createPacketExpectation("192.168.1.1", 12345, "10.0.0.2", 53),
-	},
-
-	{
-		name:              "To unique vpn route with custom dialer via physical interface",
-		expectedInterface: expectedExternalInt,
-		dialer:            nbnet.NewDialer(),
-		expectedPacket:    createPacketExpectation("192.168.0.1", 12345, "172.16.0.2", 53),
-	},
-	{
-		name:              "To unique vpn route without custom dialer via vpn",
-		expectedInterface: expectedVPNint,
-		dialer:            &net.Dialer{},
-		expectedPacket:    createPacketExpectation("100.64.0.1", 12345, "172.16.0.2", 53),
-	},
-}
-
 func TestRouting(t *testing.T) {
 	nbnet.Init()
 	for _, tc := range testCases {
@@ -102,16 +45,6 @@ func TestRouting(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
-func createPacketExpectation(srcIP string, srcPort int, dstIP string, dstPort int) PacketExpectation {
-	return PacketExpectation{
-		SrcIP:   net.ParseIP(srcIP),
-		DstIP:   net.ParseIP(dstIP),
-		SrcPort: srcPort,
-		DstPort: dstPort,
-		UDP:     true,
-	}
-}
-
 func startPacketCapture(t *testing.T, intf, filter string) *pcap.Handle {
 	t.Helper()
 

client/internal/routemanager/systemops/systemops_windows_test.go

@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+//go:build windows && privileged
+
 package systemops
 
 import (

client/internal/routemanager/systemops/v6route_bsd_test.go

@@ -11,6 +11,8 @@ import (
 // ensureIPv6DefaultRoute installs an IPv6 default route via the loopback
 // interface so route lookups for global IPv6 prefixes resolve in environments
 // without v6 connectivity. If a default already exists it is left alone.
+//
+//nolint:unused // consumed by the privileged-tagged routing tests
 func ensureIPv6DefaultRoute(t *testing.T) {
 	t.Helper()
 

client/internal/routemanager/systemops/v6route_linux_test.go

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-//go:build linux && !android
+//go:build linux && !android && privileged
 
 package systemops
 

client/internal/routemanager/systemops/v6route_windows_test.go

@@ -8,11 +8,14 @@ import (
 	"testing"
 )
 
+//nolint:unused // consumed by the privileged-tagged routing tests
 const loopbackIfaceWindows = "Loopback Pseudo-Interface 1"
 
 // ensureIPv6DefaultRoute installs an IPv6 default route via the loopback
 // interface so route lookups for global IPv6 prefixes resolve in environments
 // without v6 connectivity. If a default already exists it is left alone.
+//
+//nolint:unused // consumed by the privileged-tagged routing tests
 func ensureIPv6DefaultRoute(t *testing.T) {
 	t.Helper()
 

client/internal/statemanager/manager.go

@@ -74,6 +74,14 @@ func New(filePath string) *Manager {
 	}
 }
 
+// FilePath returns the path of the underlying state file.
+func (m *Manager) FilePath() string {
+	if m == nil {
+		return ""
+	}
+	return m.filePath
+}
+
 // Start starts the state manager periodic save routine
 func (m *Manager) Start() {
 	if m == nil {

client/proto/daemon.proto

@@ -121,6 +121,14 @@ service DaemonService {
 
   // ExposeService exposes a local port via the NetBird reverse proxy
   rpc ExposeService(ExposeServiceRequest) returns (stream ExposeServiceEvent) {}
+
+  // RespondApproval delivers the user's accept/deny decision for a
+  // pending user-approval prompt. The daemon pushes the prompt as a
+  // SystemEvent with category APPROVAL and metadata key "request_id";
+  // the UI calls this RPC with the same request_id to unblock whichever
+  // subsystem (VNC, SSH, ...) is waiting. The "kind" metadata key tells
+  // the UI which subsystem the prompt belongs to.
+  rpc RespondApproval(RespondApprovalRequest) returns (RespondApprovalResponse) {}
 }
 
 
@@ -207,6 +215,10 @@ message LoginRequest {
   optional bool disableSSHAuth = 38;
   optional int32 sshJWTCacheTTL = 39;
   optional bool disable_ipv6 = 40;
+
+  optional bool serverVNCAllowed = 41;
+
+  optional bool disableVNCApproval = 42;
 }
 
 message LoginResponse {
@@ -317,12 +329,16 @@ message GetConfigResponse {
 
   bool disable_ipv6 = 27;
 
+  bool serverVNCAllowed = 28;
+
+  bool disableVNCApproval = 29;
+
   // mDMManagedFields lists the names of configuration keys whose value is
   // currently enforced by an MDM policy. Names match mdm.Key* constants
   // (e.g. "managementURL", "disableClientRoutes"). UI/CLI clients should
   // render the corresponding inputs as read-only and display a "managed
   // by MDM" indicator.
-  repeated string mDMManagedFields = 28;
+  repeated string mDMManagedFields = 30;
 }
 
 // PeerState contains the latest state of a peer
@@ -407,6 +423,25 @@ message SSHServerState {
   repeated SSHSessionInfo sessions = 2;
 }
 
+// VNCSessionInfo contains information about an active VNC session
+message VNCSessionInfo {
+  string remoteAddress = 1;
+  string mode = 2;
+  string username = 3;
+  // userID is the Noise-verified session identity (hashed user ID from
+  // the ACL session-key entry), empty when auth is disabled.
+  string userID = 4;
+  // initiator is the human-readable display name of the dashboard user
+  // who minted the SessionPubKey, when known.
+  string initiator = 5;
+}
+
+// VNCServerState contains the latest state of the VNC server
+message VNCServerState {
+  bool enabled = 1;
+  repeated VNCSessionInfo sessions = 2;
+}
+
 // FullStatus contains the full state held by the Status instance
 message FullStatus {
   ManagementState managementState = 1;
@@ -421,6 +456,7 @@ message FullStatus {
 
   bool lazyConnectionEnabled = 9;
   SSHServerState sshServerState = 10;
+  VNCServerState vncServerState = 11;
 }
 
 // Networks
@@ -609,6 +645,7 @@ message SystemEvent {
     AUTHENTICATION = 2;
     CONNECTIVITY = 3;
     SYSTEM = 4;
+    APPROVAL = 5;
   }
 
   string id = 1;
@@ -699,6 +736,10 @@ message SetConfigRequest {
   optional bool disableSSHAuth = 33;
   optional int32 sshJWTCacheTTL = 34;
   optional bool disable_ipv6 = 35;
+
+  optional bool serverVNCAllowed = 36;
+
+  optional bool disableVNCApproval = 37;
 }
 
 message SetConfigResponse{}
@@ -929,3 +970,18 @@ message StartBundleCaptureRequest {
 message StartBundleCaptureResponse {}
 message StopBundleCaptureRequest {}
 message StopBundleCaptureResponse {}
+
+message RespondApprovalRequest {
+  // request_id matches the SystemEvent metadata key emitted by the daemon
+  // when a subsystem awaits user approval for an inbound connection.
+  string request_id = 1;
+  // accept is true if the user approved the request, false if they
+  // denied it. A missing or unknown request_id is treated as a no-op.
+  bool accept = 2;
+  // view_only signals that the user granted the connection but withheld
+  // input control. Only meaningful when accept is true; ignored when
+  // accept is false.
+  bool view_only = 3;
+}
+
+message RespondApprovalResponse {}

client/proto/daemon_grpc.pb.go

@@ -59,6 +59,7 @@ const (
 	DaemonService_StopCPUProfile_FullMethodName             = "/daemon.DaemonService/StopCPUProfile"
 	DaemonService_GetInstallerResult_FullMethodName         = "/daemon.DaemonService/GetInstallerResult"
 	DaemonService_ExposeService_FullMethodName              = "/daemon.DaemonService/ExposeService"
+	DaemonService_RespondApproval_FullMethodName            = "/daemon.DaemonService/RespondApproval"
 )
 
 // DaemonServiceClient is the client API for DaemonService service.
@@ -136,6 +137,13 @@ type DaemonServiceClient interface {
 	GetInstallerResult(ctx context.Context, in *InstallerResultRequest, opts ...grpc.CallOption) (*InstallerResultResponse, error)
 	// ExposeService exposes a local port via the NetBird reverse proxy
 	ExposeService(ctx context.Context, in *ExposeServiceRequest, opts ...grpc.CallOption) (grpc.ServerStreamingClient[ExposeServiceEvent], error)
+	// RespondApproval delivers the user's accept/deny decision for a
+	// pending user-approval prompt. The daemon pushes the prompt as a
+	// SystemEvent with category APPROVAL and metadata key "request_id";
+	// the UI calls this RPC with the same request_id to unblock whichever
+	// subsystem (VNC, SSH, ...) is waiting. The "kind" metadata key tells
+	// the UI which subsystem the prompt belongs to.
+	RespondApproval(ctx context.Context, in *RespondApprovalRequest, opts ...grpc.CallOption) (*RespondApprovalResponse, error)
 }
 
 type daemonServiceClient struct {
@@ -573,6 +581,16 @@ func (c *daemonServiceClient) ExposeService(ctx context.Context, in *ExposeServi
 // This type alias is provided for backwards compatibility with existing code that references the prior non-generic stream type by name.
 type DaemonService_ExposeServiceClient = grpc.ServerStreamingClient[ExposeServiceEvent]
 
+func (c *daemonServiceClient) RespondApproval(ctx context.Context, in *RespondApprovalRequest, opts ...grpc.CallOption) (*RespondApprovalResponse, error) {
+	cOpts := append([]grpc.CallOption{grpc.StaticMethod()}, opts...)
+	out := new(RespondApprovalResponse)
+	err := c.cc.Invoke(ctx, DaemonService_RespondApproval_FullMethodName, in, out, cOpts...)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	return out, nil
+}
+
 // DaemonServiceServer is the server API for DaemonService service.
 // All implementations must embed UnimplementedDaemonServiceServer
 // for forward compatibility.
@@ -648,6 +666,13 @@ type DaemonServiceServer interface {
 	GetInstallerResult(context.Context, *InstallerResultRequest) (*InstallerResultResponse, error)
 	// ExposeService exposes a local port via the NetBird reverse proxy
 	ExposeService(*ExposeServiceRequest, grpc.ServerStreamingServer[ExposeServiceEvent]) error
+	// RespondApproval delivers the user's accept/deny decision for a
+	// pending user-approval prompt. The daemon pushes the prompt as a
+	// SystemEvent with category APPROVAL and metadata key "request_id";
+	// the UI calls this RPC with the same request_id to unblock whichever
+	// subsystem (VNC, SSH, ...) is waiting. The "kind" metadata key tells
+	// the UI which subsystem the prompt belongs to.
+	RespondApproval(context.Context, *RespondApprovalRequest) (*RespondApprovalResponse, error)
 	mustEmbedUnimplementedDaemonServiceServer()
 }
 
@@ -778,6 +803,9 @@ func (UnimplementedDaemonServiceServer) GetInstallerResult(context.Context, *Ins
 func (UnimplementedDaemonServiceServer) ExposeService(*ExposeServiceRequest, grpc.ServerStreamingServer[ExposeServiceEvent]) error {
 	return status.Error(codes.Unimplemented, "method ExposeService not implemented")
 }
+func (UnimplementedDaemonServiceServer) RespondApproval(context.Context, *RespondApprovalRequest) (*RespondApprovalResponse, error) {
+	return nil, status.Error(codes.Unimplemented, "method RespondApproval not implemented")
+}
 func (UnimplementedDaemonServiceServer) mustEmbedUnimplementedDaemonServiceServer() {}
 func (UnimplementedDaemonServiceServer) testEmbeddedByValue()                       {}
 
@@ -1498,6 +1526,24 @@ func _DaemonService_ExposeService_Handler(srv interface{}, stream grpc.ServerStr
 // This type alias is provided for backwards compatibility with existing code that references the prior non-generic stream type by name.
 type DaemonService_ExposeServiceServer = grpc.ServerStreamingServer[ExposeServiceEvent]
 
+func _DaemonService_RespondApproval_Handler(srv interface{}, ctx context.Context, dec func(interface{}) error, interceptor grpc.UnaryServerInterceptor) (interface{}, error) {
+	in := new(RespondApprovalRequest)
+	if err := dec(in); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	if interceptor == nil {
+		return srv.(DaemonServiceServer).RespondApproval(ctx, in)
+	}
+	info := &grpc.UnaryServerInfo{
+		Server:     srv,
+		FullMethod: DaemonService_RespondApproval_FullMethodName,
+	}
+	handler := func(ctx context.Context, req interface{}) (interface{}, error) {
+		return srv.(DaemonServiceServer).RespondApproval(ctx, req.(*RespondApprovalRequest))
+	}
+	return interceptor(ctx, in, info, handler)
+}
+
 // DaemonService_ServiceDesc is the grpc.ServiceDesc for DaemonService service.
 // It's only intended for direct use with grpc.RegisterService,
 // and not to be introspected or modified (even as a copy)
@@ -1653,6 +1699,10 @@ var DaemonService_ServiceDesc = grpc.ServiceDesc{
 			MethodName: "GetInstallerResult",
 			Handler:    _DaemonService_GetInstallerResult_Handler,
 		},
+		{
+			MethodName: "RespondApproval",
+			Handler:    _DaemonService_RespondApproval_Handler,
+		},
 	},
 	Streams: []grpc.StreamDesc{
 		{

client/server/capture.go

@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ func (s *Server) StartCapture(req *proto.StartCaptureRequest, stream proto.Daemo
 		return status.Errorf(codes.Internal, "create capture session: %v", err)
 	}
 
-	engine, err := s.claimCapture(sess)
+	engine, err := s.claimCapture(sess, func() { pw.Close() })
 	if err != nil {
 		sess.Stop()
 		pw.Close()
@@ -190,10 +190,7 @@ func (s *Server) StartBundleCapture(_ context.Context, req *proto.StartBundleCap
 
 	s.stopBundleCaptureLocked()
 	s.cleanupBundleCapture()
-
-	if s.activeCapture != nil {
-		return nil, status.Error(codes.FailedPrecondition, "another capture is already running")
-	}
+	s.evictActiveCaptureLocked()
 
 	engine, err := s.getCaptureEngineLocked()
 	if err != nil {
@@ -304,29 +301,58 @@ func (s *Server) cleanupBundleCapture() {
 	s.bundleCapture = nil
 }
 
-// claimCapture reserves the engine's capture slot for sess. Returns
-// FailedPrecondition if another capture is already active.
-func (s *Server) claimCapture(sess *capture.Session) (*internal.Engine, error) {
+// claimCapture reserves the engine's capture slot for sess. If another
+// capture is already running it is evicted: a previous streaming session
+// whose gRPC client died and never freed the slot stays stuck otherwise,
+// and a bundle capture is just informational state.
+func (s *Server) claimCapture(sess *capture.Session, cancel func()) (*internal.Engine, error) {
 	s.mutex.Lock()
 	defer s.mutex.Unlock()
 
-	if s.activeCapture != nil {
-		return nil, status.Error(codes.FailedPrecondition, "another capture is already running")
-	}
+	s.evictActiveCaptureLocked()
 	engine, err := s.getCaptureEngineLocked()
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 	s.activeCapture = sess
+	s.activeCaptureCancel = cancel
 	return engine, nil
 }
 
+// evictActiveCaptureLocked tears down whatever capture currently owns
+// the engine slot so a fresh claim can succeed. Caller must hold mutex.
+func (s *Server) evictActiveCaptureLocked() {
+	if s.activeCapture == nil {
+		return
+	}
+	if s.bundleCapture != nil && s.bundleCapture.sess == s.activeCapture {
+		log.Infof("evicting running bundle capture to start a new capture")
+		s.stopBundleCaptureLocked()
+		return
+	}
+	log.Infof("evicting previous streaming capture to start a new one")
+	prev := s.activeCapture
+	cancel := s.activeCaptureCancel
+	if engine, err := s.getCaptureEngineLocked(); err == nil {
+		if err := engine.SetCapture(nil); err != nil {
+			log.Debugf("clear previous capture: %v", err)
+		}
+	}
+	s.activeCapture = nil
+	s.activeCaptureCancel = nil
+	prev.Stop()
+	if cancel != nil {
+		cancel()
+	}
+}
+
 // releaseCapture clears the active-capture owner if it still matches sess.
 func (s *Server) releaseCapture(sess *capture.Session) {
 	s.mutex.Lock()
 	defer s.mutex.Unlock()
 	if s.activeCapture == sess {
 		s.activeCapture = nil
+		s.activeCaptureCancel = nil
 	}
 }
 
@@ -341,6 +367,7 @@ func (s *Server) clearCaptureIfOwner(sess *capture.Session, engine *internal.Eng
 		log.Debugf("clear capture: %v", err)
 	}
 	s.activeCapture = nil
+	s.activeCaptureCancel = nil
 }
 
 func (s *Server) getCaptureEngineLocked() (*internal.Engine, error) {

client/server/server.go

@@ -100,8 +100,12 @@ type Server struct {
 	captureEnabled         bool
 	bundleCapture          *bundleCapture
 	// activeCapture is the session currently installed on the engine; guarded by s.mutex.
-	activeCapture    *capture.Session
-	networksDisabled bool
+	activeCapture *capture.Session
+	// activeCaptureCancel tears down the streaming pipe/cancel for the
+	// active streaming capture so eviction unblocks the StartCapture RPC
+	// handler. Nil for bundle captures (they own their own context).
+	activeCaptureCancel func()
+	networksDisabled    bool
 
 	sleepHandler *sleephandler.SleepHandler
 
@@ -456,6 +460,8 @@ func (s *Server) setConfigInputFromRequest(msg *proto.SetConfigRequest) (profile
 	config.RosenpassPermissive = msg.RosenpassPermissive
 	config.DisableAutoConnect = msg.DisableAutoConnect
 	config.ServerSSHAllowed = msg.ServerSSHAllowed
+	config.ServerVNCAllowed = msg.ServerVNCAllowed
+	config.DisableVNCApproval = msg.DisableVNCApproval
 	config.NetworkMonitor = msg.NetworkMonitor
 	config.DisableClientRoutes = msg.DisableClientRoutes
 	config.DisableServerRoutes = msg.DisableServerRoutes
@@ -1251,6 +1257,7 @@ func (s *Server) Status(
 		pbFullStatus := fullStatus.ToProto()
 		pbFullStatus.Events = s.statusRecorder.GetEventHistory()
 		pbFullStatus.SshServerState = s.getSSHServerState()
+		pbFullStatus.VncServerState = s.getVNCServerState()
 		statusResponse.FullStatus = pbFullStatus
 	}
 
@@ -1290,6 +1297,38 @@ func (s *Server) getSSHServerState() *proto.SSHServerState {
 	return sshServerState
 }
 
+// getVNCServerState retrieves the current VNC server state.
+func (s *Server) getVNCServerState() *proto.VNCServerState {
+	s.mutex.Lock()
+	connectClient := s.connectClient
+	s.mutex.Unlock()
+
+	if connectClient == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	engine := connectClient.Engine()
+	if engine == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	enabled, sessions := engine.GetVNCServerStatus()
+	pbSessions := make([]*proto.VNCSessionInfo, 0, len(sessions))
+	for _, sess := range sessions {
+		pbSessions = append(pbSessions, &proto.VNCSessionInfo{
+			RemoteAddress: sess.RemoteAddress,
+			Mode:          sess.Mode,
+			Username:      sess.Username,
+			UserID:        sess.UserID,
+			Initiator:     sess.Initiator,
+		})
+	}
+	return &proto.VNCServerState{
+		Enabled:  enabled,
+		Sessions: pbSessions,
+	}
+}
+
 // GetPeerSSHHostKey retrieves SSH host key for a specific peer
 func (s *Server) GetPeerSSHHostKey(
 	ctx context.Context,
@@ -1530,6 +1569,27 @@ func (s *Server) ExposeService(req *proto.ExposeServiceRequest, srv proto.Daemon
 	return nil
 }
 
+// RespondApproval relays the user's accept/deny decision for a pending
+// approval prompt to the engine's broker. Unknown or already-resolved
+// request_ids are silently no-op'd so a slow UI cannot deny a prompt the
+// user already handled (or that already timed out).
+func (s *Server) RespondApproval(_ context.Context, msg *proto.RespondApprovalRequest) (*proto.RespondApprovalResponse, error) {
+	s.mutex.Lock()
+	connectClient := s.connectClient
+	s.mutex.Unlock()
+	if connectClient == nil {
+		return nil, gstatus.Errorf(codes.FailedPrecondition, "client not initialized")
+	}
+	engine := connectClient.Engine()
+	if engine == nil {
+		return nil, gstatus.Errorf(codes.FailedPrecondition, "engine not running")
+	}
+	if !engine.RespondApproval(msg.GetRequestId(), msg.GetAccept(), msg.GetViewOnly()) {
+		log.Debugf("approval response for unknown request_id %s", msg.GetRequestId())
+	}
+	return &proto.RespondApprovalResponse{}, nil
+}
+
 func isUnixRunningDesktop() bool {
 	if runtime.GOOS != "linux" && runtime.GOOS != "freebsd" {
 		return false
@@ -1645,6 +1705,8 @@ func (s *Server) GetConfig(ctx context.Context, req *proto.GetConfigRequest) (*p
 		Mtu:                           int64(cfg.MTU),
 		DisableAutoConnect:            cfg.DisableAutoConnect,
 		ServerSSHAllowed:              *cfg.ServerSSHAllowed,
+		ServerVNCAllowed:              cfg.ServerVNCAllowed != nil && *cfg.ServerVNCAllowed,
+		DisableVNCApproval:            cfg.DisableVNCApproval != nil && *cfg.DisableVNCApproval,
 		RosenpassEnabled:              cfg.RosenpassEnabled,
 		RosenpassPermissive:           cfg.RosenpassPermissive,
 		LazyConnectionEnabled:         cfg.LazyConnectionEnabled,

client/server/server_privileged_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,235 @@
+//go:build privileged
+
+package server
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"net"
+	"os/user"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/golang/mock/gomock"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+	"go.opentelemetry.io/otel"
+
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/integrations/integrated_validator/validator"
+
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/internals/controllers/network_map/controller"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/internals/controllers/network_map/update_channel"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/internals/modules/peers"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/internals/modules/peers/ephemeral/manager"
+	nbgrpc "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/internals/shared/grpc"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/job"
+
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/internals/server/config"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/groups"
+
+	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
+	"google.golang.org/grpc"
+	"google.golang.org/grpc/keepalive"
+
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/peer"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/profilemanager"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/activity"
+	nbcache "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/cache"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/integrations/port_forwarding"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/permissions"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/settings"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/store"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/telemetry"
+	mgmtProto "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/management/proto"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/signal/proto"
+	signalServer "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/signal/server"
+)
+
+var (
+	kaep = keepalive.EnforcementPolicy{
+		MinTime:             15 * time.Second,
+		PermitWithoutStream: true,
+	}
+
+	kasp = keepalive.ServerParameters{
+		MaxConnectionIdle:     15 * time.Second,
+		MaxConnectionAgeGrace: 5 * time.Second,
+		Time:                  5 * time.Second,
+		Timeout:               2 * time.Second,
+	}
+)
+
+// TestConnectWithRetryRuns checks that the connectWithRetry function runs and runs the retries according to the times specified via environment variables
+// we will use a management server started via to simulate the server and capture the number of retries
+func TestConnectWithRetryRuns(t *testing.T) {
+	// start the signal server
+	_, signalAddr, err := startSignal(t)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to start signal server: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	counter := 0
+	// start the management server
+	_, mgmtAddr, err := startManagement(t, signalAddr, &counter)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to start management server: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	ctx := internal.CtxInitState(context.Background())
+
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithDeadline(ctx, time.Now().Add(30*time.Second))
+	defer cancel()
+	// create new server
+	ic := profilemanager.ConfigInput{
+		ManagementURL: "http://" + mgmtAddr,
+		ConfigPath:    t.TempDir() + "/test-profile.json",
+	}
+
+	config, err := profilemanager.UpdateOrCreateConfig(ic)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to create config: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	currUser, err := user.Current()
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	pm := profilemanager.ServiceManager{}
+	err = pm.SetActiveProfileState(&profilemanager.ActiveProfileState{
+		ID:       "test-profile",
+		Username: currUser.Username,
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to set active profile state: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	s := New(ctx, "debug", "", false, false, false, false)
+
+	s.config = config
+
+	s.statusRecorder = peer.NewRecorder(config.ManagementURL.String())
+	t.Setenv(retryInitialIntervalVar, "1s")
+	t.Setenv(maxRetryIntervalVar, "2s")
+	t.Setenv(maxRetryTimeVar, "5s")
+	t.Setenv(retryMultiplierVar, "1")
+
+	s.connectWithRetryRuns(ctx, config, s.statusRecorder, nil, nil)
+	if counter < 3 {
+		t.Fatalf("expected counter > 2, got %d", counter)
+	}
+}
+
+type mockServer struct {
+	mgmtProto.ManagementServiceServer
+	counter *int
+}
+
+func (m *mockServer) Login(ctx context.Context, req *mgmtProto.EncryptedMessage) (*mgmtProto.EncryptedMessage, error) {
+	*m.counter++
+	return m.ManagementServiceServer.Login(ctx, req)
+}
+
+func startManagement(t *testing.T, signalAddr string, counter *int) (*grpc.Server, string, error) {
+	t.Helper()
+	dataDir := t.TempDir()
+
+	config := &config.Config{
+		Stuns:      []*config.Host{},
+		TURNConfig: &config.TURNConfig{},
+		Signal: &config.Host{
+			Proto: "http",
+			URI:   signalAddr,
+		},
+		Datadir:    dataDir,
+		HttpConfig: nil,
+	}
+
+	lis, err := net.Listen("tcp", "localhost:0")
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, "", err
+	}
+	s := grpc.NewServer(grpc.KeepaliveEnforcementPolicy(kaep), grpc.KeepaliveParams(kasp))
+	store, cleanUp, err := store.NewTestStoreFromSQL(context.Background(), "", config.Datadir)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, "", err
+	}
+	t.Cleanup(cleanUp)
+
+	eventStore := &activity.InMemoryEventStore{}
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, "", err
+	}
+
+	ctrl := gomock.NewController(t)
+	t.Cleanup(ctrl.Finish)
+
+	permissionsManagerMock := permissions.NewMockManager(ctrl)
+	peersManager := peers.NewManager(store, permissionsManagerMock)
+	settingsManagerMock := settings.NewMockManager(ctrl)
+
+	jobManager := job.NewJobManager(nil, store, peersManager)
+
+	cacheStore, err := nbcache.NewStore(context.Background(), 100*time.Millisecond, 300*time.Millisecond, 100)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, "", err
+	}
+
+	ia, _ := validator.NewIntegratedValidator(context.Background(), peersManager, settingsManagerMock, eventStore, cacheStore)
+
+	metrics, err := telemetry.NewDefaultAppMetrics(context.Background())
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	settingsMockManager := settings.NewMockManager(ctrl)
+	groupsManager := groups.NewManagerMock()
+
+	requestBuffer := server.NewAccountRequestBuffer(context.Background(), store)
+	peersUpdateManager := update_channel.NewPeersUpdateManager(metrics)
+	networkMapController := controller.NewController(context.Background(), store, metrics, peersUpdateManager, requestBuffer, server.MockIntegratedValidator{}, settingsMockManager, "netbird.selfhosted", port_forwarding.NewControllerMock(), manager.NewEphemeralManager(store, peersManager), config)
+	accountManager, err := server.BuildManager(context.Background(), config, store, networkMapController, jobManager, nil, "", eventStore, nil, false, ia, metrics, port_forwarding.NewControllerMock(), settingsMockManager, permissionsManagerMock, false, cacheStore)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, "", err
+	}
+
+	secretsManager, err := nbgrpc.NewTimeBasedAuthSecretsManager(peersUpdateManager, config.TURNConfig, config.Relay, settingsMockManager, groupsManager)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, "", err
+	}
+	mgmtServer, err := nbgrpc.NewServer(config, accountManager, settingsMockManager, jobManager, secretsManager, nil, nil, &server.MockIntegratedValidator{}, networkMapController, nil, nil)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, "", err
+	}
+	mock := &mockServer{
+		ManagementServiceServer: mgmtServer,
+		counter:                 counter,
+	}
+	mgmtProto.RegisterManagementServiceServer(s, mock)
+	go func() {
+		if err = s.Serve(lis); err != nil {
+			log.Fatalf("failed to serve: %v", err)
+		}
+	}()
+
+	return s, lis.Addr().String(), nil
+}
+
+func startSignal(t *testing.T) (*grpc.Server, string, error) {
+	t.Helper()
+
+	s := grpc.NewServer(grpc.KeepaliveEnforcementPolicy(kaep), grpc.KeepaliveParams(kasp))
+
+	lis, err := net.Listen("tcp", "localhost:0")
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, "", err
+	}
+
+	srv, err := signalServer.NewServer(context.Background(), otel.Meter(""))
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	proto.RegisterSignalExchangeServer(s, srv)
+
+	go func() {
+		if err = s.Serve(lis); err != nil {
+			log.Fatalf("failed to serve: %v", err)
+		}
+	}()
+
+	return s, lis.Addr().String(), nil
+}

client/server/server_test.go

@@ -2,124 +2,22 @@ package server
 
 import (
 	"context"
-	"net"
 	"net/url"
 	"os/user"
 	"path/filepath"
 	"testing"
 	"time"
 
-	"github.com/golang/mock/gomock"
-	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
-	"go.opentelemetry.io/otel"
-
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/integrations/integrated_validator/validator"
-
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/internals/controllers/network_map/controller"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/internals/controllers/network_map/update_channel"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/internals/modules/peers"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/internals/modules/peers/ephemeral/manager"
-	nbgrpc "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/internals/shared/grpc"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/job"
-
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/internals/server/config"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/groups"
-
 	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
 	"google.golang.org/grpc"
-	"google.golang.org/grpc/keepalive"
 
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/peer"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/profilemanager"
 	daemonProto "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/proto"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/activity"
-	nbcache "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/cache"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/integrations/port_forwarding"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/permissions"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/settings"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/store"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/telemetry"
-	mgmtProto "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/management/proto"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/signal/proto"
-	signalServer "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/signal/server"
 )
 
-var (
-	kaep = keepalive.EnforcementPolicy{
-		MinTime:             15 * time.Second,
-		PermitWithoutStream: true,
-	}
-
-	kasp = keepalive.ServerParameters{
-		MaxConnectionIdle:     15 * time.Second,
-		MaxConnectionAgeGrace: 5 * time.Second,
-		Time:                  5 * time.Second,
-		Timeout:               2 * time.Second,
-	}
-)
-
-// TestConnectWithRetryRuns checks that the connectWithRetry function runs and runs the retries according to the times specified via environment variables
-// we will use a management server started via to simulate the server and capture the number of retries
-func TestConnectWithRetryRuns(t *testing.T) {
-	// start the signal server
-	_, signalAddr, err := startSignal(t)
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatalf("failed to start signal server: %v", err)
-	}
-
-	counter := 0
-	// start the management server
-	_, mgmtAddr, err := startManagement(t, signalAddr, &counter)
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatalf("failed to start management server: %v", err)
-	}
-
-	ctx := internal.CtxInitState(context.Background())
-
-	ctx, cancel := context.WithDeadline(ctx, time.Now().Add(30*time.Second))
-	defer cancel()
-	// create new server
-	ic := profilemanager.ConfigInput{
-		ManagementURL: "http://" + mgmtAddr,
-		ConfigPath:    t.TempDir() + "/test-profile.json",
-	}
-
-	config, err := profilemanager.UpdateOrCreateConfig(ic)
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatalf("failed to create config: %v", err)
-	}
-
-	currUser, err := user.Current()
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	pm := profilemanager.ServiceManager{}
-	err = pm.SetActiveProfileState(&profilemanager.ActiveProfileState{
-		ID:       "test-profile",
-		Username: currUser.Username,
-	})
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatalf("failed to set active profile state: %v", err)
-	}
-
-	s := New(ctx, "debug", "", false, false, false, false)
-
-	s.config = config
-
-	s.statusRecorder = peer.NewRecorder(config.ManagementURL.String())
-	t.Setenv(retryInitialIntervalVar, "1s")
-	t.Setenv(maxRetryIntervalVar, "2s")
-	t.Setenv(maxRetryTimeVar, "5s")
-	t.Setenv(retryMultiplierVar, "1")
-
-	s.connectWithRetryRuns(ctx, config, s.statusRecorder, nil, nil)
-	if counter < 3 {
-		t.Fatalf("expected counter > 2, got %d", counter)
-	}
-}
-
 func TestServer_Up(t *testing.T) {
 	tempDir := t.TempDir()
 	origDefaultProfileDir := profilemanager.DefaultConfigPathDir
@@ -259,119 +157,3 @@ func TestServer_SubcribeEvents(t *testing.T) {
 
 	assert.NoError(t, err)
 }
-
-type mockServer struct {
-	mgmtProto.ManagementServiceServer
-	counter *int
-}
-
-func (m *mockServer) Login(ctx context.Context, req *mgmtProto.EncryptedMessage) (*mgmtProto.EncryptedMessage, error) {
-	*m.counter++
-	return m.ManagementServiceServer.Login(ctx, req)
-}
-
-func startManagement(t *testing.T, signalAddr string, counter *int) (*grpc.Server, string, error) {
-	t.Helper()
-	dataDir := t.TempDir()
-
-	config := &config.Config{
-		Stuns:      []*config.Host{},
-		TURNConfig: &config.TURNConfig{},
-		Signal: &config.Host{
-			Proto: "http",
-			URI:   signalAddr,
-		},
-		Datadir:    dataDir,
-		HttpConfig: nil,
-	}
-
-	lis, err := net.Listen("tcp", "localhost:0")
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, "", err
-	}
-	s := grpc.NewServer(grpc.KeepaliveEnforcementPolicy(kaep), grpc.KeepaliveParams(kasp))
-	store, cleanUp, err := store.NewTestStoreFromSQL(context.Background(), "", config.Datadir)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, "", err
-	}
-	t.Cleanup(cleanUp)
-
-	eventStore := &activity.InMemoryEventStore{}
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, "", err
-	}
-
-	ctrl := gomock.NewController(t)
-	t.Cleanup(ctrl.Finish)
-
-	permissionsManagerMock := permissions.NewMockManager(ctrl)
-	peersManager := peers.NewManager(store, permissionsManagerMock)
-	settingsManagerMock := settings.NewMockManager(ctrl)
-
-	jobManager := job.NewJobManager(nil, store, peersManager)
-
-	cacheStore, err := nbcache.NewStore(context.Background(), 100*time.Millisecond, 300*time.Millisecond, 100)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, "", err
-	}
-
-	ia, _ := validator.NewIntegratedValidator(context.Background(), peersManager, settingsManagerMock, eventStore, cacheStore)
-
-	metrics, err := telemetry.NewDefaultAppMetrics(context.Background())
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	settingsMockManager := settings.NewMockManager(ctrl)
-	groupsManager := groups.NewManagerMock()
-
-	requestBuffer := server.NewAccountRequestBuffer(context.Background(), store)
-	peersUpdateManager := update_channel.NewPeersUpdateManager(metrics)
-	networkMapController := controller.NewController(context.Background(), store, metrics, peersUpdateManager, requestBuffer, server.MockIntegratedValidator{}, settingsMockManager, "netbird.selfhosted", port_forwarding.NewControllerMock(), manager.NewEphemeralManager(store, peersManager), config)
-	accountManager, err := server.BuildManager(context.Background(), config, store, networkMapController, jobManager, nil, "", eventStore, nil, false, ia, metrics, port_forwarding.NewControllerMock(), settingsMockManager, permissionsManagerMock, false, cacheStore)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, "", err
-	}
-
-	secretsManager, err := nbgrpc.NewTimeBasedAuthSecretsManager(peersUpdateManager, config.TURNConfig, config.Relay, settingsMockManager, groupsManager)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, "", err
-	}
-	mgmtServer, err := nbgrpc.NewServer(config, accountManager, settingsMockManager, jobManager, secretsManager, nil, nil, &server.MockIntegratedValidator{}, networkMapController, nil, nil)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, "", err
-	}
-	mock := &mockServer{
-		ManagementServiceServer: mgmtServer,
-		counter:                 counter,
-	}
-	mgmtProto.RegisterManagementServiceServer(s, mock)
-	go func() {
-		if err = s.Serve(lis); err != nil {
-			log.Fatalf("failed to serve: %v", err)
-		}
-	}()
-
-	return s, lis.Addr().String(), nil
-}
-
-func startSignal(t *testing.T) (*grpc.Server, string, error) {
-	t.Helper()
-
-	s := grpc.NewServer(grpc.KeepaliveEnforcementPolicy(kaep), grpc.KeepaliveParams(kasp))
-
-	lis, err := net.Listen("tcp", "localhost:0")
-	if err != nil {
-		log.Fatalf("failed to listen: %v", err)
-	}
-
-	srv, err := signalServer.NewServer(context.Background(), otel.Meter(""))
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	proto.RegisterSignalExchangeServer(s, srv)
-
-	go func() {
-		if err = s.Serve(lis); err != nil {
-			log.Fatalf("failed to serve: %v", err)
-		}
-	}()
-
-	return s, lis.Addr().String(), nil
-}

client/server/setconfig_test.go

@@ -58,6 +58,8 @@ func TestSetConfig_AllFieldsSaved(t *testing.T) {
 	rosenpassEnabled := true
 	rosenpassPermissive := true
 	serverSSHAllowed := true
+	serverVNCAllowed := true
+	disableVNCApproval := true
 	interfaceName := "utun100"
 	wireguardPort := int64(51820)
 	preSharedKey := "test-psk"
@@ -83,6 +85,8 @@ func TestSetConfig_AllFieldsSaved(t *testing.T) {
 		RosenpassEnabled:      &rosenpassEnabled,
 		RosenpassPermissive:   &rosenpassPermissive,
 		ServerSSHAllowed:      &serverSSHAllowed,
+		ServerVNCAllowed:      &serverVNCAllowed,
+		DisableVNCApproval:    &disableVNCApproval,
 		InterfaceName:         &interfaceName,
 		WireguardPort:         &wireguardPort,
 		OptionalPreSharedKey:  &preSharedKey,
@@ -127,6 +131,10 @@ func TestSetConfig_AllFieldsSaved(t *testing.T) {
 	require.Equal(t, rosenpassPermissive, cfg.RosenpassPermissive)
 	require.NotNil(t, cfg.ServerSSHAllowed)
 	require.Equal(t, serverSSHAllowed, *cfg.ServerSSHAllowed)
+	require.NotNil(t, cfg.ServerVNCAllowed)
+	require.Equal(t, serverVNCAllowed, *cfg.ServerVNCAllowed)
+	require.NotNil(t, cfg.DisableVNCApproval)
+	require.Equal(t, disableVNCApproval, *cfg.DisableVNCApproval)
 	require.Equal(t, interfaceName, cfg.WgIface)
 	require.Equal(t, int(wireguardPort), cfg.WgPort)
 	require.Equal(t, preSharedKey, cfg.PreSharedKey)
@@ -179,6 +187,8 @@ func verifyAllFieldsCovered(t *testing.T, req *proto.SetConfigRequest) {
 		"RosenpassEnabled":              true,
 		"RosenpassPermissive":           true,
 		"ServerSSHAllowed":              true,
+		"ServerVNCAllowed":              true,
+		"DisableVNCApproval":            true,
 		"InterfaceName":                 true,
 		"WireguardPort":                 true,
 		"OptionalPreSharedKey":          true,
@@ -240,6 +250,8 @@ func TestCLIFlags_MappedToSetConfig(t *testing.T) {
 		"enable-rosenpass":                  "RosenpassEnabled",
 		"rosenpass-permissive":              "RosenpassPermissive",
 		"allow-server-ssh":                  "ServerSSHAllowed",
+		"allow-server-vnc":                  "ServerVNCAllowed",
+		"disable-vnc-approval":              "DisableVNCApproval",
 		"interface-name":                    "InterfaceName",
 		"wireguard-port":                    "WireguardPort",
 		"preshared-key":                     "OptionalPreSharedKey",

client/ssh/client/client_privileged_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,118 @@
+//go:build privileged
+
+package client
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"runtime"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+	cryptossh "golang.org/x/crypto/ssh"
+
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/ssh/testutil"
+)
+
+func TestSSHClient_CommandExecution(t *testing.T) {
+	if runtime.GOOS == "windows" && testutil.IsCI() {
+		t.Skip("Skipping Windows command execution tests in CI due to S4U authentication issues")
+	}
+
+	server, _, client := setupTestSSHServerAndClient(t)
+	defer func() {
+		err := server.Stop()
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+	}()
+	defer func() {
+		err := client.Close()
+		assert.NoError(t, err)
+	}()
+
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 3*time.Second)
+	defer cancel()
+
+	t.Run("ExecuteCommand captures output", func(t *testing.T) {
+		output, err := client.ExecuteCommand(ctx, "echo hello")
+		assert.NoError(t, err)
+		assert.Contains(t, string(output), "hello")
+	})
+
+	t.Run("ExecuteCommandWithIO streams output", func(t *testing.T) {
+		err := client.ExecuteCommandWithIO(ctx, "echo world")
+		assert.NoError(t, err)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("commands with flags work", func(t *testing.T) {
+		output, err := client.ExecuteCommand(ctx, "echo -n test_flag")
+		assert.NoError(t, err)
+		assert.Equal(t, "test_flag", strings.TrimSpace(string(output)))
+	})
+
+	t.Run("non-zero exit codes don't return errors", func(t *testing.T) {
+		var testCmd string
+		if runtime.GOOS == "windows" {
+			testCmd = "echo hello | Select-String notfound"
+		} else {
+			testCmd = "echo 'hello' | grep 'notfound'"
+		}
+		_, err := client.ExecuteCommand(ctx, testCmd)
+		assert.NoError(t, err)
+	})
+}
+
+func TestSSHClient_ContextCancellation(t *testing.T) {
+	server, serverAddr, _ := setupTestSSHServerAndClient(t)
+	defer func() {
+		err := server.Stop()
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+	}()
+
+	t.Run("connection with short timeout", func(t *testing.T) {
+		ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 1*time.Millisecond)
+		defer cancel()
+
+		currentUser := testutil.GetTestUsername(t)
+		_, err := Dial(ctx, serverAddr, currentUser, DialOptions{
+			InsecureSkipVerify: true,
+		})
+		if err != nil {
+			// Check for actual timeout-related errors rather than string matching
+			assert.True(t,
+				errors.Is(err, context.DeadlineExceeded) ||
+					errors.Is(err, context.Canceled) ||
+					strings.Contains(err.Error(), "timeout"),
+				"Expected timeout-related error, got: %v", err)
+		}
+	})
+
+	t.Run("command execution cancellation", func(t *testing.T) {
+		ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 5*time.Second)
+		defer cancel()
+		currentUser := testutil.GetTestUsername(t)
+		client, err := Dial(ctx, serverAddr, currentUser, DialOptions{
+			InsecureSkipVerify: true,
+		})
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		defer func() {
+			if err := client.Close(); err != nil {
+				t.Logf("client close error: %v", err)
+			}
+		}()
+
+		cmdCtx, cmdCancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 100*time.Millisecond)
+		defer cmdCancel()
+
+		err = client.ExecuteCommandWithPTY(cmdCtx, "sleep 10")
+		if err != nil {
+			var exitMissingErr *cryptossh.ExitMissingError
+			isValidCancellation := errors.Is(err, context.DeadlineExceeded) ||
+				errors.Is(err, context.Canceled) ||
+				errors.As(err, &exitMissingErr)
+			assert.True(t, isValidCancellation, "Should handle command cancellation properly")
+		}
+	})
+}

client/ssh/client/client_test.go

@@ -15,7 +15,6 @@ import (
 
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
-	cryptossh "golang.org/x/crypto/ssh"
 
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/ssh"
 	sshserver "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/ssh/server"
@@ -78,53 +77,6 @@ func TestSSHClient_DialWithKey(t *testing.T) {
 	assert.NotNil(t, client.client)
 }
 
-func TestSSHClient_CommandExecution(t *testing.T) {
-	if runtime.GOOS == "windows" && testutil.IsCI() {
-		t.Skip("Skipping Windows command execution tests in CI due to S4U authentication issues")
-	}
-
-	server, _, client := setupTestSSHServerAndClient(t)
-	defer func() {
-		err := server.Stop()
-		require.NoError(t, err)
-	}()
-	defer func() {
-		err := client.Close()
-		assert.NoError(t, err)
-	}()
-
-	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 3*time.Second)
-	defer cancel()
-
-	t.Run("ExecuteCommand captures output", func(t *testing.T) {
-		output, err := client.ExecuteCommand(ctx, "echo hello")
-		assert.NoError(t, err)
-		assert.Contains(t, string(output), "hello")
-	})
-
-	t.Run("ExecuteCommandWithIO streams output", func(t *testing.T) {
-		err := client.ExecuteCommandWithIO(ctx, "echo world")
-		assert.NoError(t, err)
-	})
-
-	t.Run("commands with flags work", func(t *testing.T) {
-		output, err := client.ExecuteCommand(ctx, "echo -n test_flag")
-		assert.NoError(t, err)
-		assert.Equal(t, "test_flag", strings.TrimSpace(string(output)))
-	})
-
-	t.Run("non-zero exit codes don't return errors", func(t *testing.T) {
-		var testCmd string
-		if runtime.GOOS == "windows" {
-			testCmd = "echo hello | Select-String notfound"
-		} else {
-			testCmd = "echo 'hello' | grep 'notfound'"
-		}
-		_, err := client.ExecuteCommand(ctx, testCmd)
-		assert.NoError(t, err)
-	})
-}
-
 func TestSSHClient_ConnectionHandling(t *testing.T) {
 	server, serverAddr, _ := setupTestSSHServerAndClient(t)
 	defer func() {
@@ -154,59 +106,6 @@ func TestSSHClient_ConnectionHandling(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
-func TestSSHClient_ContextCancellation(t *testing.T) {
-	server, serverAddr, _ := setupTestSSHServerAndClient(t)
-	defer func() {
-		err := server.Stop()
-		require.NoError(t, err)
-	}()
-
-	t.Run("connection with short timeout", func(t *testing.T) {
-		ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 1*time.Millisecond)
-		defer cancel()
-
-		currentUser := testutil.GetTestUsername(t)
-		_, err := Dial(ctx, serverAddr, currentUser, DialOptions{
-			InsecureSkipVerify: true,
-		})
-		if err != nil {
-			// Check for actual timeout-related errors rather than string matching
-			assert.True(t,
-				errors.Is(err, context.DeadlineExceeded) ||
-					errors.Is(err, context.Canceled) ||
-					strings.Contains(err.Error(), "timeout"),
-				"Expected timeout-related error, got: %v", err)
-		}
-	})
-
-	t.Run("command execution cancellation", func(t *testing.T) {
-		ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 5*time.Second)
-		defer cancel()
-		currentUser := testutil.GetTestUsername(t)
-		client, err := Dial(ctx, serverAddr, currentUser, DialOptions{
-			InsecureSkipVerify: true,
-		})
-		require.NoError(t, err)
-		defer func() {
-			if err := client.Close(); err != nil {
-				t.Logf("client close error: %v", err)
-			}
-		}()
-
-		cmdCtx, cmdCancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 100*time.Millisecond)
-		defer cmdCancel()
-
-		err = client.ExecuteCommandWithPTY(cmdCtx, "sleep 10")
-		if err != nil {
-			var exitMissingErr *cryptossh.ExitMissingError
-			isValidCancellation := errors.Is(err, context.DeadlineExceeded) ||
-				errors.Is(err, context.Canceled) ||
-				errors.As(err, &exitMissingErr)
-			assert.True(t, isValidCancellation, "Should handle command cancellation properly")
-		}
-	})
-}
-
 func TestSSHClient_NoAuthMode(t *testing.T) {
 	hostKey, err := ssh.GeneratePrivateKey(ssh.ED25519)
 	require.NoError(t, err)

client/ssh/proxy/proxy_privileged_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,423 @@
+//go:build privileged
+
+package proxy
+
+import (
+	"bytes"
+	"context"
+	"crypto/rand"
+	"crypto/rsa"
+	"encoding/base64"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"io"
+	"math/big"
+	"net"
+	"net/http"
+	"net/http/httptest"
+	"os"
+	"runtime"
+	"strconv"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/golang-jwt/jwt/v5"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+	cryptossh "golang.org/x/crypto/ssh"
+
+	nbssh "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/ssh"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/ssh/server"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/ssh/testutil"
+	nbjwt "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/auth/jwt"
+	sshauth "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/sessionauth"
+	sshuserhash "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/sshauth"
+)
+
+func (m *mockDaemon) setJWTToken(token string) {
+	m.impl.jwtToken = token
+}
+
+func TestSSHProxy_Connect(t *testing.T) {
+	if testing.Short() {
+		t.Skip("Skipping integration test in short mode")
+	}
+
+	// TODO: Windows test times out - user switching and command execution tested on Linux
+	if runtime.GOOS == "windows" {
+		t.Skip("Skipping on Windows - covered by Linux tests")
+	}
+
+	const (
+		issuer   = "https://test-issuer.example.com"
+		audience = "test-audience"
+	)
+
+	jwksServer, privateKey, jwksURL := setupJWKSServer(t)
+	defer jwksServer.Close()
+
+	hostKey, err := nbssh.GeneratePrivateKey(nbssh.ED25519)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	hostPubKey, err := nbssh.GeneratePublicKey(hostKey)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	serverConfig := &server.Config{
+		HostKeyPEM: hostKey,
+		JWT: &server.JWTConfig{
+			Issuer:       issuer,
+			Audiences:    []string{audience},
+			KeysLocation: jwksURL,
+		},
+	}
+	sshServer := server.New(serverConfig)
+	sshServer.SetAllowRootLogin(true)
+
+	// Configure SSH authorization for the test user
+	testUsername := testutil.GetTestUsername(t)
+	testJWTUser := "test-username"
+	testUserHash, err := sshuserhash.HashUserID(testJWTUser)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	authConfig := &sshauth.Config{
+		UserIDClaim:     sshauth.DefaultUserIDClaim,
+		AuthorizedUsers: []sshuserhash.UserIDHash{testUserHash},
+		MachineUsers: map[string][]uint32{
+			testUsername: {0}, // Index 0 in AuthorizedUsers
+		},
+	}
+	sshServer.UpdateSSHAuth(authConfig)
+
+	sshServerAddr := server.StartTestServer(t, sshServer)
+	defer func() { _ = sshServer.Stop() }()
+
+	mockDaemon := startMockDaemon(t)
+	defer mockDaemon.stop()
+
+	host, portStr, err := net.SplitHostPort(sshServerAddr)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	port, err := strconv.Atoi(portStr)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	mockDaemon.setHostKey(host, hostPubKey)
+
+	validToken := generateValidJWT(t, privateKey, issuer, audience, testJWTUser)
+	mockDaemon.setJWTToken(validToken)
+
+	proxyInstance, err := New(mockDaemon.addr, host, port, io.Discard, nil)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	clientConn, proxyConn := net.Pipe()
+	defer func() { _ = clientConn.Close() }()
+
+	origStdin := os.Stdin
+	origStdout := os.Stdout
+	defer func() {
+		os.Stdin = origStdin
+		os.Stdout = origStdout
+	}()
+
+	stdinReader, stdinWriter, err := os.Pipe()
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	stdoutReader, stdoutWriter, err := os.Pipe()
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	os.Stdin = stdinReader
+	os.Stdout = stdoutWriter
+
+	go func() {
+		_, _ = io.Copy(stdinWriter, proxyConn)
+	}()
+	go func() {
+		_, _ = io.Copy(proxyConn, stdoutReader)
+	}()
+
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 5*time.Second)
+	defer cancel()
+
+	connectErrCh := make(chan error, 1)
+	go func() {
+		connectErrCh <- proxyInstance.Connect(ctx)
+	}()
+
+	sshConfig := &cryptossh.ClientConfig{
+		User:            testutil.GetTestUsername(t),
+		Auth:            []cryptossh.AuthMethod{},
+		HostKeyCallback: cryptossh.InsecureIgnoreHostKey(),
+		Timeout:         3 * time.Second,
+	}
+
+	sshClientConn, chans, reqs, err := cryptossh.NewClientConn(clientConn, "test", sshConfig)
+	require.NoError(t, err, "Should connect to proxy server")
+	defer func() { _ = sshClientConn.Close() }()
+
+	sshClient := cryptossh.NewClient(sshClientConn, chans, reqs)
+
+	session, err := sshClient.NewSession()
+	require.NoError(t, err, "Should create session through full proxy to backend")
+
+	outputCh := make(chan []byte, 1)
+	errCh := make(chan error, 1)
+	go func() {
+		output, err := session.Output("echo hello-from-proxy")
+		outputCh <- output
+		errCh <- err
+	}()
+
+	select {
+	case output := <-outputCh:
+		err := <-errCh
+		require.NoError(t, err, "Command should execute successfully through proxy")
+		assert.Contains(t, string(output), "hello-from-proxy", "Should receive command output through proxy")
+	case <-time.After(3 * time.Second):
+		t.Fatal("Command execution timed out")
+	}
+
+	_ = session.Close()
+	_ = sshClient.Close()
+	_ = clientConn.Close()
+	cancel()
+}
+
+// TestSSHProxy_CommandQuoting verifies that the proxy preserves shell quoting
+// when forwarding commands to the backend. This is critical for tools like
+// Ansible that send commands such as:
+//
+//	/bin/sh -c '( umask 77 && mkdir -p ... ) && sleep 0'
+//
+// The single quotes must be preserved so the backend shell receives the
+// subshell expression as a single argument to -c.
+func TestSSHProxy_CommandQuoting(t *testing.T) {
+	if testing.Short() {
+		t.Skip("Skipping integration test in short mode")
+	}
+
+	sshClient, cleanup := setupProxySSHClient(t)
+	defer cleanup()
+
+	// These commands simulate what the SSH protocol delivers as exec payloads.
+	// When a user types: ssh host '/bin/sh -c "( echo hello )"'
+	// the local shell strips the outer single quotes, and the SSH exec request
+	// contains the raw string: /bin/sh -c "( echo hello )"
+	//
+	// The proxy must forward this string verbatim. Using session.Command()
+	// (shlex.Split + strings.Join) strips the inner double quotes, breaking
+	// the command on the backend.
+	tests := []struct {
+		name    string
+		command string
+		expect  string
+	}{
+		{
+			name:    "subshell_in_double_quotes",
+			command: `/bin/sh -c "( echo from-subshell ) && echo outer"`,
+			expect:  "from-subshell\nouter\n",
+		},
+		{
+			name:    "printf_with_special_chars",
+			command: `/bin/sh -c "printf '%s\n' 'hello world'"`,
+			expect:  "hello world\n",
+		},
+		{
+			name:    "nested_command_substitution",
+			command: `/bin/sh -c "echo $(echo nested)"`,
+			expect:  "nested\n",
+		},
+	}
+
+	for _, tc := range tests {
+		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			session, err := sshClient.NewSession()
+			require.NoError(t, err)
+			defer func() { _ = session.Close() }()
+
+			var stderrBuf bytes.Buffer
+			session.Stderr = &stderrBuf
+
+			outputCh := make(chan []byte, 1)
+			errCh := make(chan error, 1)
+			go func() {
+				output, err := session.Output(tc.command)
+				outputCh <- output
+				errCh <- err
+			}()
+
+			select {
+			case output := <-outputCh:
+				err := <-errCh
+				if stderrBuf.Len() > 0 {
+					t.Logf("stderr: %s", stderrBuf.String())
+				}
+				require.NoError(t, err, "command should succeed: %s", tc.command)
+				assert.Equal(t, tc.expect, string(output), "output mismatch for: %s", tc.command)
+			case <-time.After(5 * time.Second):
+				t.Fatalf("command timed out: %s", tc.command)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+// setupProxySSHClient creates a full proxy test environment and returns
+// an SSH client connected through the proxy to a backend NetBird SSH server.
+func setupProxySSHClient(t *testing.T) (*cryptossh.Client, func()) {
+	t.Helper()
+
+	const (
+		issuer   = "https://test-issuer.example.com"
+		audience = "test-audience"
+	)
+
+	jwksServer, privateKey, jwksURL := setupJWKSServer(t)
+
+	hostKey, err := nbssh.GeneratePrivateKey(nbssh.ED25519)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	hostPubKey, err := nbssh.GeneratePublicKey(hostKey)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	serverConfig := &server.Config{
+		HostKeyPEM: hostKey,
+		JWT: &server.JWTConfig{
+			Issuer:       issuer,
+			Audiences:    []string{audience},
+			KeysLocation: jwksURL,
+		},
+	}
+	sshServer := server.New(serverConfig)
+	sshServer.SetAllowRootLogin(true)
+
+	testUsername := testutil.GetTestUsername(t)
+	testJWTUser := "test-username"
+	testUserHash, err := sshuserhash.HashUserID(testJWTUser)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	authConfig := &sshauth.Config{
+		UserIDClaim:     sshauth.DefaultUserIDClaim,
+		AuthorizedUsers: []sshuserhash.UserIDHash{testUserHash},
+		MachineUsers: map[string][]uint32{
+			testUsername: {0},
+		},
+	}
+	sshServer.UpdateSSHAuth(authConfig)
+
+	sshServerAddr := server.StartTestServer(t, sshServer)
+
+	mockDaemon := startMockDaemon(t)
+
+	host, portStr, err := net.SplitHostPort(sshServerAddr)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	port, err := strconv.Atoi(portStr)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	mockDaemon.setHostKey(host, hostPubKey)
+
+	validToken := generateValidJWT(t, privateKey, issuer, audience, testJWTUser)
+	mockDaemon.setJWTToken(validToken)
+
+	proxyInstance, err := New(mockDaemon.addr, host, port, io.Discard, nil)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	origStdin := os.Stdin
+	origStdout := os.Stdout
+
+	stdinReader, stdinWriter, err := os.Pipe()
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	stdoutReader, stdoutWriter, err := os.Pipe()
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	os.Stdin = stdinReader
+	os.Stdout = stdoutWriter
+
+	clientConn, proxyConn := net.Pipe()
+
+	go func() { _, _ = io.Copy(stdinWriter, proxyConn) }()
+	go func() { _, _ = io.Copy(proxyConn, stdoutReader) }()
+
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 10*time.Second)
+
+	go func() {
+		_ = proxyInstance.Connect(ctx)
+	}()
+
+	sshConfig := &cryptossh.ClientConfig{
+		User:            testutil.GetTestUsername(t),
+		Auth:            []cryptossh.AuthMethod{},
+		HostKeyCallback: cryptossh.InsecureIgnoreHostKey(),
+		Timeout:         5 * time.Second,
+	}
+
+	sshClientConn, chans, reqs, err := cryptossh.NewClientConn(clientConn, "test", sshConfig)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	client := cryptossh.NewClient(sshClientConn, chans, reqs)
+
+	cleanupFn := func() {
+		_ = client.Close()
+		_ = clientConn.Close()
+		cancel()
+		os.Stdin = origStdin
+		os.Stdout = origStdout
+		_ = sshServer.Stop()
+		mockDaemon.stop()
+		jwksServer.Close()
+	}
+
+	return client, cleanupFn
+}
+
+func setupJWKSServer(t *testing.T) (*httptest.Server, *rsa.PrivateKey, string) {
+	t.Helper()
+	privateKey, jwksJSON := generateTestJWKS(t)
+
+	server := httptest.NewServer(http.HandlerFunc(func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+		w.Header().Set("Content-Type", "application/json")
+		if _, err := w.Write(jwksJSON); err != nil {
+			http.Error(w, err.Error(), http.StatusInternalServerError)
+		}
+	}))
+
+	return server, privateKey, server.URL
+}
+
+func generateTestJWKS(t *testing.T) (*rsa.PrivateKey, []byte) {
+	t.Helper()
+	privateKey, err := rsa.GenerateKey(rand.Reader, 2048)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	publicKey := &privateKey.PublicKey
+	n := publicKey.N.Bytes()
+	e := publicKey.E
+
+	jwk := nbjwt.JSONWebKey{
+		Kty: "RSA",
+		Kid: "test-key-id",
+		Use: "sig",
+		N:   base64.RawURLEncoding.EncodeToString(n),
+		E:   base64.RawURLEncoding.EncodeToString(big.NewInt(int64(e)).Bytes()),
+	}
+
+	jwks := nbjwt.Jwks{
+		Keys: []nbjwt.JSONWebKey{jwk},
+	}
+
+	jwksJSON, err := json.Marshal(jwks)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	return privateKey, jwksJSON
+}
+
+func generateValidJWT(t *testing.T, privateKey *rsa.PrivateKey, issuer, audience string, user string) string {
+	t.Helper()
+	claims := jwt.MapClaims{
+		"iss": issuer,
+		"aud": audience,
+		"sub": user,
+		"exp": time.Now().Add(time.Hour).Unix(),
+		"iat": time.Now().Unix(),
+	}
+
+	token := jwt.NewWithClaims(jwt.SigningMethodRS256, claims)
+	token.Header["kid"] = "test-key-id"
+
+	tokenString, err := token.SignedString(privateKey)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	return tokenString
+}

client/ssh/proxy/proxy_test.go

@@ -1,25 +1,12 @@
 package proxy
 
 import (
-	"bytes"
 	"context"
-	"crypto/rand"
-	"crypto/rsa"
-	"encoding/base64"
-	"encoding/json"
 	"fmt"
-	"io"
-	"math/big"
 	"net"
-	"net/http"
-	"net/http/httptest"
 	"os"
-	"runtime"
-	"strconv"
 	"testing"
-	"time"
 
-	"github.com/golang-jwt/jwt/v5"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
 	cryptossh "golang.org/x/crypto/ssh"
@@ -28,11 +15,7 @@ import (
 
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/proto"
 	nbssh "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/ssh"
-	sshauth "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/ssh/auth"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/ssh/server"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/ssh/testutil"
-	nbjwt "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/auth/jwt"
-	sshuserhash "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/sshauth"
 )
 
 func TestMain(m *testing.M) {
@@ -106,331 +89,6 @@ func TestSSHProxy_verifyHostKey(t *testing.T) {
 	})
 }
 
-func TestSSHProxy_Connect(t *testing.T) {
-	if testing.Short() {
-		t.Skip("Skipping integration test in short mode")
-	}
-
-	// TODO: Windows test times out - user switching and command execution tested on Linux
-	if runtime.GOOS == "windows" {
-		t.Skip("Skipping on Windows - covered by Linux tests")
-	}
-
-	const (
-		issuer   = "https://test-issuer.example.com"
-		audience = "test-audience"
-	)
-
-	jwksServer, privateKey, jwksURL := setupJWKSServer(t)
-	defer jwksServer.Close()
-
-	hostKey, err := nbssh.GeneratePrivateKey(nbssh.ED25519)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	hostPubKey, err := nbssh.GeneratePublicKey(hostKey)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	serverConfig := &server.Config{
-		HostKeyPEM: hostKey,
-		JWT: &server.JWTConfig{
-			Issuer:       issuer,
-			Audiences:    []string{audience},
-			KeysLocation: jwksURL,
-		},
-	}
-	sshServer := server.New(serverConfig)
-	sshServer.SetAllowRootLogin(true)
-
-	// Configure SSH authorization for the test user
-	testUsername := testutil.GetTestUsername(t)
-	testJWTUser := "test-username"
-	testUserHash, err := sshuserhash.HashUserID(testJWTUser)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	authConfig := &sshauth.Config{
-		UserIDClaim:     sshauth.DefaultUserIDClaim,
-		AuthorizedUsers: []sshuserhash.UserIDHash{testUserHash},
-		MachineUsers: map[string][]uint32{
-			testUsername: {0}, // Index 0 in AuthorizedUsers
-		},
-	}
-	sshServer.UpdateSSHAuth(authConfig)
-
-	sshServerAddr := server.StartTestServer(t, sshServer)
-	defer func() { _ = sshServer.Stop() }()
-
-	mockDaemon := startMockDaemon(t)
-	defer mockDaemon.stop()
-
-	host, portStr, err := net.SplitHostPort(sshServerAddr)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	port, err := strconv.Atoi(portStr)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	mockDaemon.setHostKey(host, hostPubKey)
-
-	validToken := generateValidJWT(t, privateKey, issuer, audience, testJWTUser)
-	mockDaemon.setJWTToken(validToken)
-
-	proxyInstance, err := New(mockDaemon.addr, host, port, io.Discard, nil)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	clientConn, proxyConn := net.Pipe()
-	defer func() { _ = clientConn.Close() }()
-
-	origStdin := os.Stdin
-	origStdout := os.Stdout
-	defer func() {
-		os.Stdin = origStdin
-		os.Stdout = origStdout
-	}()
-
-	stdinReader, stdinWriter, err := os.Pipe()
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	stdoutReader, stdoutWriter, err := os.Pipe()
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	os.Stdin = stdinReader
-	os.Stdout = stdoutWriter
-
-	go func() {
-		_, _ = io.Copy(stdinWriter, proxyConn)
-	}()
-	go func() {
-		_, _ = io.Copy(proxyConn, stdoutReader)
-	}()
-
-	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 5*time.Second)
-	defer cancel()
-
-	connectErrCh := make(chan error, 1)
-	go func() {
-		connectErrCh <- proxyInstance.Connect(ctx)
-	}()
-
-	sshConfig := &cryptossh.ClientConfig{
-		User:            testutil.GetTestUsername(t),
-		Auth:            []cryptossh.AuthMethod{},
-		HostKeyCallback: cryptossh.InsecureIgnoreHostKey(),
-		Timeout:         3 * time.Second,
-	}
-
-	sshClientConn, chans, reqs, err := cryptossh.NewClientConn(clientConn, "test", sshConfig)
-	require.NoError(t, err, "Should connect to proxy server")
-	defer func() { _ = sshClientConn.Close() }()
-
-	sshClient := cryptossh.NewClient(sshClientConn, chans, reqs)
-
-	session, err := sshClient.NewSession()
-	require.NoError(t, err, "Should create session through full proxy to backend")
-
-	outputCh := make(chan []byte, 1)
-	errCh := make(chan error, 1)
-	go func() {
-		output, err := session.Output("echo hello-from-proxy")
-		outputCh <- output
-		errCh <- err
-	}()
-
-	select {
-	case output := <-outputCh:
-		err := <-errCh
-		require.NoError(t, err, "Command should execute successfully through proxy")
-		assert.Contains(t, string(output), "hello-from-proxy", "Should receive command output through proxy")
-	case <-time.After(3 * time.Second):
-		t.Fatal("Command execution timed out")
-	}
-
-	_ = session.Close()
-	_ = sshClient.Close()
-	_ = clientConn.Close()
-	cancel()
-}
-
-// TestSSHProxy_CommandQuoting verifies that the proxy preserves shell quoting
-// when forwarding commands to the backend. This is critical for tools like
-// Ansible that send commands such as:
-//
-//	/bin/sh -c '( umask 77 && mkdir -p ... ) && sleep 0'
-//
-// The single quotes must be preserved so the backend shell receives the
-// subshell expression as a single argument to -c.
-func TestSSHProxy_CommandQuoting(t *testing.T) {
-	if testing.Short() {
-		t.Skip("Skipping integration test in short mode")
-	}
-
-	sshClient, cleanup := setupProxySSHClient(t)
-	defer cleanup()
-
-	// These commands simulate what the SSH protocol delivers as exec payloads.
-	// When a user types: ssh host '/bin/sh -c "( echo hello )"'
-	// the local shell strips the outer single quotes, and the SSH exec request
-	// contains the raw string: /bin/sh -c "( echo hello )"
-	//
-	// The proxy must forward this string verbatim. Using session.Command()
-	// (shlex.Split + strings.Join) strips the inner double quotes, breaking
-	// the command on the backend.
-	tests := []struct {
-		name    string
-		command string
-		expect  string
-	}{
-		{
-			name:    "subshell_in_double_quotes",
-			command: `/bin/sh -c "( echo from-subshell ) && echo outer"`,
-			expect:  "from-subshell\nouter\n",
-		},
-		{
-			name:    "printf_with_special_chars",
-			command: `/bin/sh -c "printf '%s\n' 'hello world'"`,
-			expect:  "hello world\n",
-		},
-		{
-			name:    "nested_command_substitution",
-			command: `/bin/sh -c "echo $(echo nested)"`,
-			expect:  "nested\n",
-		},
-	}
-
-	for _, tc := range tests {
-		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
-			session, err := sshClient.NewSession()
-			require.NoError(t, err)
-			defer func() { _ = session.Close() }()
-
-			var stderrBuf bytes.Buffer
-			session.Stderr = &stderrBuf
-
-			outputCh := make(chan []byte, 1)
-			errCh := make(chan error, 1)
-			go func() {
-				output, err := session.Output(tc.command)
-				outputCh <- output
-				errCh <- err
-			}()
-
-			select {
-			case output := <-outputCh:
-				err := <-errCh
-				if stderrBuf.Len() > 0 {
-					t.Logf("stderr: %s", stderrBuf.String())
-				}
-				require.NoError(t, err, "command should succeed: %s", tc.command)
-				assert.Equal(t, tc.expect, string(output), "output mismatch for: %s", tc.command)
-			case <-time.After(5 * time.Second):
-				t.Fatalf("command timed out: %s", tc.command)
-			}
-		})
-	}
-}
-
-// setupProxySSHClient creates a full proxy test environment and returns
-// an SSH client connected through the proxy to a backend NetBird SSH server.
-func setupProxySSHClient(t *testing.T) (*cryptossh.Client, func()) {
-	t.Helper()
-
-	const (
-		issuer   = "https://test-issuer.example.com"
-		audience = "test-audience"
-	)
-
-	jwksServer, privateKey, jwksURL := setupJWKSServer(t)
-
-	hostKey, err := nbssh.GeneratePrivateKey(nbssh.ED25519)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	hostPubKey, err := nbssh.GeneratePublicKey(hostKey)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	serverConfig := &server.Config{
-		HostKeyPEM: hostKey,
-		JWT: &server.JWTConfig{
-			Issuer:       issuer,
-			Audiences:    []string{audience},
-			KeysLocation: jwksURL,
-		},
-	}
-	sshServer := server.New(serverConfig)
-	sshServer.SetAllowRootLogin(true)
-
-	testUsername := testutil.GetTestUsername(t)
-	testJWTUser := "test-username"
-	testUserHash, err := sshuserhash.HashUserID(testJWTUser)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	authConfig := &sshauth.Config{
-		UserIDClaim:     sshauth.DefaultUserIDClaim,
-		AuthorizedUsers: []sshuserhash.UserIDHash{testUserHash},
-		MachineUsers: map[string][]uint32{
-			testUsername: {0},
-		},
-	}
-	sshServer.UpdateSSHAuth(authConfig)
-
-	sshServerAddr := server.StartTestServer(t, sshServer)
-
-	mockDaemon := startMockDaemon(t)
-
-	host, portStr, err := net.SplitHostPort(sshServerAddr)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	port, err := strconv.Atoi(portStr)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	mockDaemon.setHostKey(host, hostPubKey)
-
-	validToken := generateValidJWT(t, privateKey, issuer, audience, testJWTUser)
-	mockDaemon.setJWTToken(validToken)
-
-	proxyInstance, err := New(mockDaemon.addr, host, port, io.Discard, nil)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	origStdin := os.Stdin
-	origStdout := os.Stdout
-
-	stdinReader, stdinWriter, err := os.Pipe()
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	stdoutReader, stdoutWriter, err := os.Pipe()
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	os.Stdin = stdinReader
-	os.Stdout = stdoutWriter
-
-	clientConn, proxyConn := net.Pipe()
-
-	go func() { _, _ = io.Copy(stdinWriter, proxyConn) }()
-	go func() { _, _ = io.Copy(proxyConn, stdoutReader) }()
-
-	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 10*time.Second)
-
-	go func() {
-		_ = proxyInstance.Connect(ctx)
-	}()
-
-	sshConfig := &cryptossh.ClientConfig{
-		User:            testutil.GetTestUsername(t),
-		Auth:            []cryptossh.AuthMethod{},
-		HostKeyCallback: cryptossh.InsecureIgnoreHostKey(),
-		Timeout:         5 * time.Second,
-	}
-
-	sshClientConn, chans, reqs, err := cryptossh.NewClientConn(clientConn, "test", sshConfig)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	client := cryptossh.NewClient(sshClientConn, chans, reqs)
-
-	cleanupFn := func() {
-		_ = client.Close()
-		_ = clientConn.Close()
-		cancel()
-		os.Stdin = origStdin
-		os.Stdout = origStdout
-		_ = sshServer.Stop()
-		mockDaemon.stop()
-		jwksServer.Close()
-	}
-
-	return client, cleanupFn
-}
-
 type mockDaemonServer struct {
 	proto.UnimplementedDaemonServiceServer
 	hostKeys map[string][]byte
@@ -492,10 +150,6 @@ func (m *mockDaemon) setHostKey(addr string, pubKey []byte) {
 	m.impl.hostKeys[addr] = pubKey
 }
 
-func (m *mockDaemon) setJWTToken(token string) {
-	m.impl.jwtToken = token
-}
-
 func (m *mockDaemon) stop() {
 	if m.server != nil {
 		m.server.Stop()
@@ -508,63 +162,3 @@ func mustParsePublicKey(t *testing.T, pubKeyBytes []byte) cryptossh.PublicKey {
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	return pubKey
 }
-
-func setupJWKSServer(t *testing.T) (*httptest.Server, *rsa.PrivateKey, string) {
-	t.Helper()
-	privateKey, jwksJSON := generateTestJWKS(t)
-
-	server := httptest.NewServer(http.HandlerFunc(func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
-		w.Header().Set("Content-Type", "application/json")
-		if _, err := w.Write(jwksJSON); err != nil {
-			http.Error(w, err.Error(), http.StatusInternalServerError)
-		}
-	}))
-
-	return server, privateKey, server.URL
-}
-
-func generateTestJWKS(t *testing.T) (*rsa.PrivateKey, []byte) {
-	t.Helper()
-	privateKey, err := rsa.GenerateKey(rand.Reader, 2048)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	publicKey := &privateKey.PublicKey
-	n := publicKey.N.Bytes()
-	e := publicKey.E
-
-	jwk := nbjwt.JSONWebKey{
-		Kty: "RSA",
-		Kid: "test-key-id",
-		Use: "sig",
-		N:   base64.RawURLEncoding.EncodeToString(n),
-		E:   base64.RawURLEncoding.EncodeToString(big.NewInt(int64(e)).Bytes()),
-	}
-
-	jwks := nbjwt.Jwks{
-		Keys: []nbjwt.JSONWebKey{jwk},
-	}
-
-	jwksJSON, err := json.Marshal(jwks)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	return privateKey, jwksJSON
-}
-
-func generateValidJWT(t *testing.T, privateKey *rsa.PrivateKey, issuer, audience string, user string) string {
-	t.Helper()
-	claims := jwt.MapClaims{
-		"iss": issuer,
-		"aud": audience,
-		"sub": user,
-		"exp": time.Now().Add(time.Hour).Unix(),
-		"iat": time.Now().Unix(),
-	}
-
-	token := jwt.NewWithClaims(jwt.SigningMethodRS256, claims)
-	token.Header["kid"] = "test-key-id"
-
-	tokenString, err := token.SignedString(privateKey)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	return tokenString
-}

client/ssh/server/executor_unix_privileged_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,66 @@
+//go:build unix && privileged
+
+package server
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+)
+
+func TestPrivilegeDropper_CreateExecutorCommand(t *testing.T) {
+	pd := NewPrivilegeDropper()
+
+	config := ExecutorConfig{
+		UID:        1000,
+		GID:        1000,
+		Groups:     []uint32{1000, 1001},
+		WorkingDir: "/home/testuser",
+		Shell:      "/bin/bash",
+		Command:    "ls -la",
+	}
+
+	cmd, err := pd.CreateExecutorCommand(context.Background(), config)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	require.NotNil(t, cmd)
+
+	// Verify the command is calling netbird ssh exec
+	assert.Contains(t, cmd.Args, "ssh")
+	assert.Contains(t, cmd.Args, "exec")
+	assert.Contains(t, cmd.Args, "--uid")
+	assert.Contains(t, cmd.Args, "1000")
+	assert.Contains(t, cmd.Args, "--gid")
+	assert.Contains(t, cmd.Args, "1000")
+	assert.Contains(t, cmd.Args, "--groups")
+	assert.Contains(t, cmd.Args, "1000")
+	assert.Contains(t, cmd.Args, "1001")
+	assert.Contains(t, cmd.Args, "--working-dir")
+	assert.Contains(t, cmd.Args, "/home/testuser")
+	assert.Contains(t, cmd.Args, "--shell")
+	assert.Contains(t, cmd.Args, "/bin/bash")
+	assert.Contains(t, cmd.Args, "--cmd")
+	assert.Contains(t, cmd.Args, "ls -la")
+}
+
+func TestPrivilegeDropper_CreateExecutorCommandInteractive(t *testing.T) {
+	pd := NewPrivilegeDropper()
+
+	config := ExecutorConfig{
+		UID:        1000,
+		GID:        1000,
+		Groups:     []uint32{1000},
+		WorkingDir: "/home/testuser",
+		Shell:      "/bin/bash",
+		Command:    "",
+	}
+
+	cmd, err := pd.CreateExecutorCommand(context.Background(), config)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	require.NotNil(t, cmd)
+
+	// Verify no command mode (command is empty so no --cmd flag)
+	assert.NotContains(t, cmd.Args, "--cmd")
+	assert.NotContains(t, cmd.Args, "--interactive")
+}

client/ssh/server/executor_unix_test.go

@@ -73,61 +73,6 @@ func TestPrivilegeDropper_ValidatePrivileges(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
-func TestPrivilegeDropper_CreateExecutorCommand(t *testing.T) {
-	pd := NewPrivilegeDropper()
-
-	config := ExecutorConfig{
-		UID:        1000,
-		GID:        1000,
-		Groups:     []uint32{1000, 1001},
-		WorkingDir: "/home/testuser",
-		Shell:      "/bin/bash",
-		Command:    "ls -la",
-	}
-
-	cmd, err := pd.CreateExecutorCommand(context.Background(), config)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	require.NotNil(t, cmd)
-
-	// Verify the command is calling netbird ssh exec
-	assert.Contains(t, cmd.Args, "ssh")
-	assert.Contains(t, cmd.Args, "exec")
-	assert.Contains(t, cmd.Args, "--uid")
-	assert.Contains(t, cmd.Args, "1000")
-	assert.Contains(t, cmd.Args, "--gid")
-	assert.Contains(t, cmd.Args, "1000")
-	assert.Contains(t, cmd.Args, "--groups")
-	assert.Contains(t, cmd.Args, "1000")
-	assert.Contains(t, cmd.Args, "1001")
-	assert.Contains(t, cmd.Args, "--working-dir")
-	assert.Contains(t, cmd.Args, "/home/testuser")
-	assert.Contains(t, cmd.Args, "--shell")
-	assert.Contains(t, cmd.Args, "/bin/bash")
-	assert.Contains(t, cmd.Args, "--cmd")
-	assert.Contains(t, cmd.Args, "ls -la")
-}
-
-func TestPrivilegeDropper_CreateExecutorCommandInteractive(t *testing.T) {
-	pd := NewPrivilegeDropper()
-
-	config := ExecutorConfig{
-		UID:        1000,
-		GID:        1000,
-		Groups:     []uint32{1000},
-		WorkingDir: "/home/testuser",
-		Shell:      "/bin/bash",
-		Command:    "",
-	}
-
-	cmd, err := pd.CreateExecutorCommand(context.Background(), config)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	require.NotNil(t, cmd)
-
-	// Verify no command mode (command is empty so no --cmd flag)
-	assert.NotContains(t, cmd.Args, "--cmd")
-	assert.NotContains(t, cmd.Args, "--interactive")
-}
-
 // TestPrivilegeDropper_ActualPrivilegeDrop tests actual privilege dropping
 // This test requires root privileges and will be skipped if not running as root
 func TestPrivilegeDropper_ActualPrivilegeDrop(t *testing.T) {

client/ssh/server/jwt_test.go

@@ -23,11 +23,11 @@ import (
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
 
 	nbssh "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/ssh"
-	sshauth "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/ssh/auth"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/ssh/client"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/ssh/detection"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/ssh/testutil"
 	nbjwt "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/auth/jwt"
+	sshauth "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/sessionauth"
 	sshuserhash "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/sshauth"
 )
 

client/ssh/server/server.go

@@ -23,10 +23,10 @@ import (
 	"golang.zx2c4.com/wireguard/tun/netstack"
 
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface/wgaddr"
-	sshauth "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/ssh/auth"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/ssh/detection"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/auth"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/auth/jwt"
+	sshauth "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/sessionauth"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/util/netrelay"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/version"
 )
@@ -197,6 +197,14 @@ type Config struct {
 
 	// HostKey is the SSH server host key in PEM format
 	HostKeyPEM []byte
+
+	// NetstackNet, when non-nil, makes the SSH server listen via the
+	// supplied userspace network stack instead of an OS socket.
+	NetstackNet *netstack.Net
+
+	// NetworkValidation, when non-zero, restricts inbound connections to
+	// peers inside the NetBird overlay defined by this WireGuard address.
+	NetworkValidation wgaddr.Address
 }
 
 // SessionInfo contains information about an active SSH session
@@ -208,12 +216,15 @@ type SessionInfo struct {
 	PortForwards  []string
 }
 
-// New creates an SSH server instance with the provided host key and optional JWT configuration
-// If jwtConfig is nil, JWT authentication is disabled
+// New creates an SSH server instance from the supplied Config. Fields are
+// read once at construction; mutating Config afterwards has no effect.
+// JWT == nil disables JWT authentication.
 func New(config *Config) *Server {
 	s := &Server{
 		mu:                     sync.RWMutex{},
 		hostKeyPEM:             config.HostKeyPEM,
+		netstackNet:            config.NetstackNet,
+		wgAddress:              config.NetworkValidation,
 		sessions:               make(map[sessionKey]*sessionState),
 		pendingAuthJWT:         make(map[authKey]string),
 		remoteForwardListeners: make(map[forwardKey]net.Listener),
@@ -434,20 +445,6 @@ func (s *Server) buildSessionInfo(state *sessionState) SessionInfo {
 	return info
 }
 
-// SetNetstackNet sets the netstack network for userspace networking
-func (s *Server) SetNetstackNet(net *netstack.Net) {
-	s.mu.Lock()
-	defer s.mu.Unlock()
-	s.netstackNet = net
-}
-
-// SetNetworkValidation configures network-based connection filtering
-func (s *Server) SetNetworkValidation(addr wgaddr.Address) {
-	s.mu.Lock()
-	defer s.mu.Unlock()
-	s.wgAddress = addr
-}
-
 // UpdateSSHAuth updates the SSH fine-grained access control configuration
 // This should be called when network map updates include new SSH auth configuration
 func (s *Server) UpdateSSHAuth(config *sshauth.Config) {

client/status/status.go

@@ -132,6 +132,19 @@ type SSHServerStateOutput struct {
 	Sessions []SSHSessionOutput `json:"sessions" yaml:"sessions"`
 }
 
+type VNCSessionOutput struct {
+	RemoteAddress string `json:"remoteAddress" yaml:"remoteAddress"`
+	Mode          string `json:"mode" yaml:"mode"`
+	Username      string `json:"username,omitempty" yaml:"username,omitempty"`
+	UserID        string `json:"userID,omitempty" yaml:"userID,omitempty"`
+	Initiator     string `json:"initiator,omitempty" yaml:"initiator,omitempty"`
+}
+
+type VNCServerStateOutput struct {
+	Enabled  bool               `json:"enabled" yaml:"enabled"`
+	Sessions []VNCSessionOutput `json:"sessions" yaml:"sessions"`
+}
+
 type OutputOverview struct {
 	Peers                   PeersStateOutput           `json:"peers" yaml:"peers"`
 	CliVersion              string                     `json:"cliVersion" yaml:"cliVersion"`
@@ -155,6 +168,7 @@ type OutputOverview struct {
 	LazyConnectionEnabled   bool                       `json:"lazyConnectionEnabled" yaml:"lazyConnectionEnabled"`
 	ProfileName             string                     `json:"profileName" yaml:"profileName"`
 	SSHServerState          SSHServerStateOutput       `json:"sshServer" yaml:"sshServer"`
+	VNCServerState          VNCServerStateOutput       `json:"vncServer" yaml:"vncServer"`
 }
 
 // ConvertToStatusOutputOverview converts protobuf status to the output overview.
@@ -175,6 +189,7 @@ func ConvertToStatusOutputOverview(pbFullStatus *proto.FullStatus, opts ConvertO
 
 	relayOverview := mapRelays(pbFullStatus.GetRelays())
 	sshServerOverview := mapSSHServer(pbFullStatus.GetSshServerState())
+	vncServerOverview := mapVNCServer(pbFullStatus.GetVncServerState())
 	peersOverview := mapPeers(pbFullStatus.GetPeers(), opts.StatusFilter, opts.PrefixNamesFilter, opts.PrefixNamesFilterMap, opts.IPsFilter, opts.ConnectionTypeFilter)
 
 	overview := OutputOverview{
@@ -200,6 +215,7 @@ func ConvertToStatusOutputOverview(pbFullStatus *proto.FullStatus, opts ConvertO
 		LazyConnectionEnabled:   pbFullStatus.GetLazyConnectionEnabled(),
 		ProfileName:             opts.ProfileName,
 		SSHServerState:          sshServerOverview,
+		VNCServerState:          vncServerOverview,
 	}
 
 	if opts.Anonymize {
@@ -281,6 +297,26 @@ func mapSSHServer(sshServerState *proto.SSHServerState) SSHServerStateOutput {
 	}
 }
 
+func mapVNCServer(state *proto.VNCServerState) VNCServerStateOutput {
+	if state == nil {
+		return VNCServerStateOutput{Sessions: []VNCSessionOutput{}}
+	}
+	sessions := make([]VNCSessionOutput, 0, len(state.GetSessions()))
+	for _, sess := range state.GetSessions() {
+		sessions = append(sessions, VNCSessionOutput{
+			RemoteAddress: sess.GetRemoteAddress(),
+			Mode:          sess.GetMode(),
+			Username:      sess.GetUsername(),
+			UserID:        sess.GetUserID(),
+			Initiator:     sess.GetInitiator(),
+		})
+	}
+	return VNCServerStateOutput{
+		Enabled:  state.GetEnabled(),
+		Sessions: sessions,
+	}
+}
+
 func mapPeers(
 	peers []*proto.PeerState,
 	statusFilter string,
@@ -545,6 +581,26 @@ func (o *OutputOverview) GeneralSummary(showURL bool, showRelays bool, showNameS
 		}
 	}
 
+	vncServerStatus := "Disabled"
+	if o.VNCServerState.Enabled {
+		vncSessionCount := len(o.VNCServerState.Sessions)
+		if vncSessionCount > 0 {
+			sessionWord := "session"
+			if vncSessionCount > 1 {
+				sessionWord = "sessions"
+			}
+			vncServerStatus = fmt.Sprintf("Enabled (%d active %s)", vncSessionCount, sessionWord)
+		} else {
+			vncServerStatus = "Enabled"
+		}
+
+		if showSSHSessions && vncSessionCount > 0 {
+			for _, sess := range o.VNCServerState.Sessions {
+				vncServerStatus += "\n  " + formatVNCSessionLine(sess)
+			}
+		}
+	}
+
 	peersCountString := fmt.Sprintf("%d/%d Connected", o.Peers.Connected, o.Peers.Total)
 
 	var forwardingRulesString string
@@ -591,6 +647,7 @@ func (o *OutputOverview) GeneralSummary(showURL bool, showRelays bool, showNameS
 			"Quantum resistance: %s\n"+
 			"Lazy connection: %s\n"+
 			"SSH Server: %s\n"+
+			"VNC Server: %s\n"+
 			"Networks: %s\n"+
 			"%s"+
 			"Peers count: %s\n",
@@ -610,6 +667,7 @@ func (o *OutputOverview) GeneralSummary(showURL bool, showRelays bool, showNameS
 		rosenpassEnabledStatus,
 		lazyConnectionEnabledStatus,
 		sshServerStatus,
+		vncServerStatus,
 		networks,
 		forwardingRulesString,
 		peersCountString,
@@ -969,6 +1027,26 @@ func anonymizePeerDetail(a *anonymize.Anonymizer, peer *PeerStateDetailOutput) {
 	}
 }
 
+// formatVNCSessionLine renders a single VNC session row for the detailed
+// status output. The leading slot identifies the initiator (display name
+// when known, hashed UserID otherwise); the post-arrow slot is the OS
+// user the session targets and is omitted in attach mode where the
+// destination is the current console user (unknown to the daemon).
+func formatVNCSessionLine(sess VNCSessionOutput) string {
+	who := sess.Initiator
+	if who == "" {
+		who = sess.UserID
+	}
+	prefix := sess.RemoteAddress
+	if who != "" {
+		prefix = fmt.Sprintf("%s@%s", who, sess.RemoteAddress)
+	}
+	if sess.Username != "" {
+		return fmt.Sprintf("[%s -> %s] mode=%s", prefix, sess.Username, sess.Mode)
+	}
+	return fmt.Sprintf("[%s] mode=%s", prefix, sess.Mode)
+}
+
 func anonymizeOverview(a *anonymize.Anonymizer, overview *OutputOverview) {
 	for i, peer := range overview.Peers.Details {
 		peer := peer
@@ -989,6 +1067,19 @@ func anonymizeOverview(a *anonymize.Anonymizer, overview *OutputOverview) {
 		overview.Relays.Details[i] = detail
 	}
 
+	anonymizeNSServerGroups(a, overview)
+
+	for i, route := range overview.Networks {
+		overview.Networks[i] = a.AnonymizeRoute(route)
+	}
+
+	overview.FQDN = a.AnonymizeDomain(overview.FQDN)
+
+	anonymizeEvents(a, overview)
+	anonymizeServerSessions(a, overview)
+}
+
+func anonymizeNSServerGroups(a *anonymize.Anonymizer, overview *OutputOverview) {
 	for i, nsGroup := range overview.NSServerGroups {
 		for j, domain := range nsGroup.Domains {
 			overview.NSServerGroups[i].Domains[j] = a.AnonymizeDomain(domain)
@@ -1000,13 +1091,9 @@ func anonymizeOverview(a *anonymize.Anonymizer, overview *OutputOverview) {
 			}
 		}
 	}
+}
 
-	for i, route := range overview.Networks {
-		overview.Networks[i] = a.AnonymizeRoute(route)
-	}
-
-	overview.FQDN = a.AnonymizeDomain(overview.FQDN)
-
+func anonymizeEvents(a *anonymize.Anonymizer, overview *OutputOverview) {
 	for i, event := range overview.Events {
 		overview.Events[i].Message = a.AnonymizeString(event.Message)
 		overview.Events[i].UserMessage = a.AnonymizeString(event.UserMessage)
@@ -1015,13 +1102,24 @@ func anonymizeOverview(a *anonymize.Anonymizer, overview *OutputOverview) {
 			event.Metadata[k] = a.AnonymizeString(v)
 		}
 	}
+}
 
+func anonymizeRemoteAddress(a *anonymize.Anonymizer, addr string) string {
+	if host, port, err := net.SplitHostPort(addr); err == nil {
+		return fmt.Sprintf("%s:%s", a.AnonymizeIPString(host), port)
+	}
+	return a.AnonymizeIPString(addr)
+}
+
+func anonymizeServerSessions(a *anonymize.Anonymizer, overview *OutputOverview) {
 	for i, session := range overview.SSHServerState.Sessions {
-		if host, port, err := net.SplitHostPort(session.RemoteAddress); err == nil {
-			overview.SSHServerState.Sessions[i].RemoteAddress = fmt.Sprintf("%s:%s", a.AnonymizeIPString(host), port)
-		} else {
-			overview.SSHServerState.Sessions[i].RemoteAddress = a.AnonymizeIPString(session.RemoteAddress)
-		}
+		overview.SSHServerState.Sessions[i].RemoteAddress = anonymizeRemoteAddress(a, session.RemoteAddress)
 		overview.SSHServerState.Sessions[i].Command = a.AnonymizeString(session.Command)
 	}
+	for i, sess := range overview.VNCServerState.Sessions {
+		overview.VNCServerState.Sessions[i].RemoteAddress = anonymizeRemoteAddress(a, sess.RemoteAddress)
+		overview.VNCServerState.Sessions[i].Username = a.AnonymizeString(sess.Username)
+		overview.VNCServerState.Sessions[i].UserID = a.AnonymizeString(sess.UserID)
+		overview.VNCServerState.Sessions[i].Initiator = a.AnonymizeString(sess.Initiator)
+	}
 }

client/status/status_test.go

@@ -242,6 +242,10 @@ var overview = OutputOverview{
 		Enabled:  false,
 		Sessions: []SSHSessionOutput{},
 	},
+	VNCServerState: VNCServerStateOutput{
+		Enabled:  false,
+		Sessions: []VNCSessionOutput{},
+	},
 }
 
 func TestConversionFromFullStatusToOutputOverview(t *testing.T) {
@@ -407,6 +411,10 @@ func TestParsingToJSON(t *testing.T) {
 		  "sshServer":{
 		    "enabled":false,
 			"sessions":[]
+		  },
+		  "vncServer":{
+		    "enabled":false,
+			"sessions":[]
 		  }
         }`
 	// @formatter:on
@@ -517,6 +525,9 @@ profileName: ""
 sshServer:
     enabled: false
     sessions: []
+vncServer:
+    enabled: false
+    sessions: []
 `
 
 	assert.Equal(t, expectedYAML, yaml)
@@ -587,6 +598,7 @@ Wireguard port: %d
 Quantum resistance: false
 Lazy connection: false
 SSH Server: Disabled
+VNC Server: Disabled
 Networks: 10.10.0.0/24
 Peers count: 2/2 Connected
 `, lastConnectionUpdate1, lastHandshake1, lastConnectionUpdate2, lastHandshake2, runtime.GOOS, runtime.GOARCH, overview.CliVersion, overview.WgPort)
@@ -613,6 +625,7 @@ Wireguard port: 51820
 Quantum resistance: false
 Lazy connection: false
 SSH Server: Disabled
+VNC Server: Disabled
 Networks: 10.10.0.0/24
 Peers count: 2/2 Connected
 `

client/system/info.go

@@ -63,6 +63,7 @@ type Info struct {
 	RosenpassEnabled    bool
 	RosenpassPermissive bool
 	ServerSSHAllowed    bool
+	ServerVNCAllowed    bool
 
 	DisableClientRoutes bool
 	DisableServerRoutes bool
@@ -84,6 +85,7 @@ type Info struct {
 func (i *Info) SetFlags(
 	rosenpassEnabled, rosenpassPermissive bool,
 	serverSSHAllowed *bool,
+	serverVNCAllowed *bool,
 	disableClientRoutes, disableServerRoutes,
 	disableDNS, disableFirewall, blockLANAccess, blockInbound, disableIPv6, lazyConnectionEnabled bool,
 	enableSSHRoot, enableSSHSFTP, enableSSHLocalPortForwarding, enableSSHRemotePortForwarding *bool,
@@ -94,6 +96,9 @@ func (i *Info) SetFlags(
 	if serverSSHAllowed != nil {
 		i.ServerSSHAllowed = *serverSSHAllowed
 	}
+	if serverVNCAllowed != nil {
+		i.ServerVNCAllowed = *serverVNCAllowed
+	}
 
 	i.DisableClientRoutes = disableClientRoutes
 	i.DisableServerRoutes = disableServerRoutes

client/testutil/privileged/runner_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,196 @@
+//go:build privileged && (linux || darwin)
+
+// Package privileged provides a self-hosting harness that runs the repo's
+// privileged-tagged test suite inside a --privileged --cap-add=NET_ADMIN
+// container, so developers can exercise the root/system-mutating tests on a
+// non-root host with a single `go test` invocation.
+package privileged
+
+import (
+	"bytes"
+	"context"
+	"fmt"
+	"os"
+	"os/exec"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/moby/moby/api/types/container"
+	"github.com/ory/dockertest/v4"
+)
+
+// containerImage / containerTag match the image used by the CI privileged job
+// (.github/workflows/golang-test-linux.yml, test_client_on_docker).
+const (
+	containerImage = "golang"
+	containerTag   = "1.25-alpine"
+)
+
+const (
+	containerWorkdir    = "/app"
+	containerGoCache    = "/root/.cache/go-build"
+	containerGoModCache = "/go/pkg/mod"
+)
+
+// alpinePackages are the build/runtime deps the privileged tests need, mirroring
+// the CI container setup.
+const alpinePackages = "ca-certificates iptables ip6tables dbus dbus-dev libpcap-dev build-base"
+
+// privilegedTestPackages is the package list the suite runs, excluding the
+// server-side trees and UI/upload helpers, matching the CI Docker job's filter.
+const privilegedTestPackages = `go list -buildvcs=false ./... | grep -v -e /management -e /signal -e /relay -e /proxy -e /combined -e /client/ui -e /upload-server`
+
+// testWriter forwards container output to the test log line by line.
+type testWriter struct{ t *testing.T }
+
+func (w testWriter) Write(p []byte) (int, error) {
+	for _, line := range strings.Split(strings.TrimRight(string(p), "\n"), "\n") {
+		w.t.Log(line)
+	}
+	return len(p), nil
+}
+
+// TestRunPrivilegedSuiteInDocker spins up a privileged container, mounts the repo,
+// and runs `go test -tags 'devcert privileged'` inside it. When already running
+// inside that container (DOCKER_CI=true) it returns immediately so the real
+// privileged tests in the suite execute in place instead of recursing.
+func TestRunPrivilegedSuiteInDocker(t *testing.T) {
+	if os.Getenv("DOCKER_CI") == "true" {
+		t.Skip("inside privileged container, skipping container spawn; privileged tests run in place")
+	}
+
+	repoRoot, err := findRepoRoot()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("locate repo root: %v", err)
+	}
+	goCache, goModCache := hostGoCaches(t)
+
+	// dockertest reads DOCKER_HOST; point it at the active context's socket when
+	// the default one is absent (macOS Docker Desktop, Colima, OrbStack).
+	if host := dockerHost(); host != "" {
+		t.Setenv("DOCKER_HOST", host)
+	}
+
+	// NewPoolT registers container cleanup via t.Cleanup automatically.
+	pool := dockertest.NewPoolT(t, "", dockertest.WithMaxWait(30*time.Minute))
+
+	// Keep the container alive so the suite runs via Exec, which yields a clean
+	// exit code (the v4 Resource API exposes no container wait/exit-code).
+	resource := pool.RunT(t, containerImage,
+		dockertest.WithTag(containerTag),
+		dockertest.WithWorkingDir(containerWorkdir),
+		dockertest.WithMounts([]string{
+			repoRoot + ":" + containerWorkdir,
+			goCache + ":" + containerGoCache,
+			goModCache + ":" + containerGoModCache,
+		}),
+		dockertest.WithEnv([]string{
+			"CGO_ENABLED=1",
+			"CI=true",
+			"DOCKER_CI=true",
+			"CONTAINER=true",
+			"GOCACHE=" + containerGoCache,
+			"GOMODCACHE=" + containerGoModCache,
+		}),
+		dockertest.WithCmd([]string{"sleep", "infinity"}),
+		dockertest.WithHostConfig(func(hc *container.HostConfig) {
+			hc.Privileged = true
+			hc.CapAdd = []string{"NET_ADMIN"}
+		}),
+		dockertest.WithoutReuse(),
+	)
+
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 30*time.Minute)
+	defer cancel()
+
+	result, err := resource.Exec(ctx, []string{"sh", "-c", buildTestScript()})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("run privileged suite in container: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	w := testWriter{t}
+	_, _ = w.Write([]byte(result.StdOut))
+	_, _ = w.Write([]byte(result.StdErr))
+
+	if result.ExitCode != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("privileged test suite failed in container (exit code %d)", result.ExitCode)
+	}
+}
+
+// findRepoRoot walks up from the test's working directory to the module root.
+func findRepoRoot() (string, error) {
+	dir, err := os.Getwd()
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	for {
+		if _, statErr := os.Stat(filepath.Join(dir, "go.mod")); statErr == nil {
+			return dir, nil
+		}
+		parent := filepath.Dir(dir)
+		if parent == dir {
+			return "", fmt.Errorf("go.mod not found above %s", dir)
+		}
+		dir = parent
+	}
+}
+
+// dockerHost returns a DOCKER_HOST override when the default socket is missing.
+// An empty result means the caller should leave DOCKER_HOST untouched (it is
+// already set, or the default unix socket exists). When neither is present
+// (common on macOS Docker Desktop, Colima and OrbStack, which use a per-user
+// socket), it resolves the active docker context's endpoint.
+func dockerHost() string {
+	if os.Getenv("DOCKER_HOST") != "" {
+		return ""
+	}
+	if _, err := os.Stat("/var/run/docker.sock"); err == nil {
+		return ""
+	}
+
+	out, err := exec.Command("docker", "context", "inspect", "-f", "{{.Endpoints.docker.Host}}").Output()
+	if err != nil {
+		return ""
+	}
+	return strings.TrimSpace(string(out))
+}
+
+// hostGoCaches resolves the host GOCACHE/GOMODCACHE so the container reuses the
+// existing build/module cache for speed.
+func hostGoCaches(t *testing.T) (string, string) {
+	t.Helper()
+	return goEnv(t, "GOCACHE"), goEnv(t, "GOMODCACHE")
+}
+
+func goEnv(t *testing.T, key string) string {
+	t.Helper()
+	var out bytes.Buffer
+	cmd := exec.Command("go", "env", key)
+	cmd.Stdout = &out
+	if err := cmd.Run(); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("go env %s: %v", key, err)
+	}
+	return strings.TrimSpace(out.String())
+}
+
+// buildTestScript builds the in-container command. PRIV_PKGS overrides the package
+// list (default: the full filtered set); PRIV_RUN adds a -run test-name filter.
+// Both empty reproduces the full privileged suite.
+func buildTestScript() string {
+	pkgs := privilegedTestPackages + " | xargs"
+	if p := os.Getenv("PRIV_PKGS"); p != "" {
+		pkgs = "echo " + p + " | xargs"
+	}
+
+	runFilter := ""
+	if r := os.Getenv("PRIV_RUN"); r != "" {
+		runFilter = "-run '" + r + "' "
+	}
+
+	return fmt.Sprintf(
+		"apk update >/dev/null && apk add --no-cache %s >/dev/null && %s go test -buildvcs=false -tags 'devcert privileged' %s-v -timeout 20m -p 1",
+		alpinePackages, pkgs, runFilter,
+	)
+}

client/ui/approval.go

@@ -0,0 +1,259 @@
+//go:build !(linux && 386)
+
+package main
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"os"
+	"os/exec"
+	"strings"
+	"time"
+
+	"fyne.io/fyne/v2"
+	"fyne.io/fyne/v2/container"
+	"fyne.io/fyne/v2/widget"
+	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
+
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/approval"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/proto"
+)
+
+// Approval metadata that is remote-peer or dashboard controlled is passed to
+// the forked netbird-ui via environment variables rather than argv, so it is
+// not exposed to other local users through ps.
+const (
+	envApprovalInitiator      = "NB_APPROVAL_INITIATOR"
+	envApprovalPeerName       = "NB_APPROVAL_PEER_NAME"
+	envApprovalSourceIP       = "NB_APPROVAL_SOURCE_IP"
+	envApprovalUsername       = "NB_APPROVAL_USERNAME"
+	envApprovalKeyFingerprint = "NB_APPROVAL_KEY_FINGERPRINT"
+	envApprovalSubject        = "NB_APPROVAL_SUBJECT"
+)
+
+// handleApprovalEvent forks a netbird-ui child process to render the
+// dialog on its own fyne main loop. Top-level windows opened from a
+// background goroutine of the tray process don't render reliably on
+// Linux/GTK, so the rest of the UI (settings, login URL, update) uses
+// the same fork pattern.
+func (s *serviceClient) handleApprovalEvent(ev *proto.SystemEvent) {
+	if ev == nil || ev.Category != proto.SystemEvent_APPROVAL {
+		return
+	}
+	requestID := ev.Metadata["request_id"]
+	if requestID == "" {
+		log.Warnf("approval event missing request_id: %v", ev.Metadata)
+		return
+	}
+
+	// Only the request id, kind, and deadline stay on argv: they are
+	// daemon-issued and non-sensitive. The remote-influenced fields go
+	// through the child's environment.
+	args := []string{
+		"--approval-request-id=" + requestID,
+		"--approval-kind=" + ev.Metadata["kind"],
+		"--approval-expires-at=" + ev.Metadata["expires_at"],
+	}
+	env := append(os.Environ(),
+		envApprovalInitiator+"="+ev.Metadata["initiator"],
+		envApprovalPeerName+"="+ev.Metadata["peer_name"],
+		envApprovalSourceIP+"="+ev.Metadata["source_ip"],
+		envApprovalUsername+"="+ev.Metadata["username"],
+		envApprovalKeyFingerprint+"="+ev.Metadata["peer_pubkey"],
+		envApprovalSubject+"="+ev.UserMessage,
+	)
+	go s.runApprovalCommand(s.ctx, env, args)
+}
+
+// runApprovalCommand forks netbird-ui to render the approval dialog,
+// inheriting the parent environment plus the approval-specific variables. It
+// mirrors runSelfCommand but sets cmd.Env so the sensitive metadata never
+// appears on the child's argv.
+func (s *serviceClient) runApprovalCommand(ctx context.Context, env, args []string) {
+	proc, err := os.Executable()
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Errorf("get executable path: %v", err)
+		return
+	}
+
+	cmdArgs := append([]string{"--approval=true", "--daemon-addr=" + s.addr}, args...)
+	cmd := exec.CommandContext(ctx, proc, cmdArgs...)
+	cmd.Env = env
+
+	if out := s.attachOutput(cmd); out != nil {
+		defer func() {
+			if err := out.Close(); err != nil {
+				log.Errorf("close log file %s: %v", s.logFile, err)
+			}
+		}()
+	}
+
+	log.Printf("running approval command: %s", cmd.String())
+	if err := cmd.Run(); err != nil {
+		var exitErr *exec.ExitError
+		if errors.As(err, &exitErr) {
+			log.Printf("approval command failed with exit code %d", exitErr.ExitCode())
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// showApprovalUI runs the dialog on the forked process's fyne main loop
+// and forwards the user's decision to the daemon via RespondApproval.
+func (s *serviceClient) showApprovalUI(req approvalRequest) {
+	w := s.app.NewWindow(approvalTitle(req.kind))
+	w.Resize(fyne.NewSize(480, 260))
+	w.CenterOnScreen()
+	w.RequestFocus()
+
+	var rows []string
+	if req.initiator != "" {
+		// The display name comes from the management dashboard and is
+		// not cryptographically asserted by the connecting client. The
+		// key fingerprint that follows IS: it's the Noise_IK static
+		// public key the client just proved possession of. Show both
+		// so the user can sanity-check that "Alice" is really the
+		// Alice they trust.
+		rows = append(rows, "From user:  "+req.initiator)
+	}
+	if fp := approval.ShortKeyFingerprint(req.keyFingerprint); fp != "" {
+		rows = append(rows, "Key fp:     "+fp)
+	}
+	if req.peerName != "" {
+		rows = append(rows, "Via peer:   "+req.peerName)
+	}
+	if req.sourceIP != "" && req.sourceIP != req.peerName {
+		rows = append(rows, "Source IP:  "+req.sourceIP)
+	}
+	if req.username != "" {
+		rows = append(rows, "OS user:    "+req.username)
+	}
+	if len(rows) == 0 {
+		rows = []string{"Remote: " + req.displayPeer()}
+	}
+	body := strings.Join(rows, "\n")
+	bodyLabel := widget.NewLabel(body)
+	bodyLabel.Wrapping = fyne.TextWrapWord
+
+	countdown := widget.NewLabel("")
+	deadline := req.deadline()
+	updateCountdown := func() {
+		remaining := time.Until(deadline).Round(time.Second)
+		if remaining < 0 {
+			remaining = 0
+		}
+		countdown.SetText(fmt.Sprintf("Auto-deny in %s", remaining))
+	}
+	updateCountdown()
+
+	type outcome struct {
+		accept   bool
+		viewOnly bool
+	}
+	decided := make(chan outcome, 1)
+	decide := func(o outcome) {
+		select {
+		case decided <- o:
+		default:
+		}
+	}
+
+	allow := widget.NewButton("Allow", func() { decide(outcome{accept: true}) })
+	allow.Importance = widget.HighImportance
+	allowView := widget.NewButton("Allow (view only)", func() { decide(outcome{accept: true, viewOnly: true}) })
+	deny := widget.NewButton("Deny", func() { decide(outcome{accept: false}) })
+
+	header := widget.NewLabelWithStyle(req.subject, fyne.TextAlignLeading, fyne.TextStyle{Bold: true})
+	buttonRow := container.NewGridWithColumns(3, allow, allowView, deny)
+	info := container.NewVBox(header, widget.NewSeparator(), bodyLabel, widget.NewSeparator(), countdown)
+	w.SetContent(container.NewPadded(container.NewBorder(nil, buttonRow, nil, nil, info)))
+	w.SetCloseIntercept(func() { decide(outcome{}) })
+
+	go func() {
+		ticker := time.NewTicker(time.Second)
+		defer ticker.Stop()
+		for range ticker.C {
+			if time.Until(deadline) <= 0 {
+				decide(outcome{})
+				return
+			}
+			fyne.Do(updateCountdown)
+		}
+	}()
+
+	go func() {
+		o := <-decided
+		s.sendApprovalResponse(req.requestID, o.accept, o.viewOnly)
+		fyne.Do(func() {
+			w.Close()
+			s.app.Quit()
+		})
+	}()
+
+	w.Show()
+}
+
+func (s *serviceClient) sendApprovalResponse(requestID string, accept, viewOnly bool) {
+	conn, err := s.getSrvClient(defaultFailTimeout)
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Warnf("approval response: get daemon client: %v", err)
+		return
+	}
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(s.ctx, defaultFailTimeout)
+	defer cancel()
+	if _, err := conn.RespondApproval(ctx, &proto.RespondApprovalRequest{
+		RequestId: requestID,
+		Accept:    accept,
+		ViewOnly:  viewOnly,
+	}); err != nil {
+		log.Warnf("approval response: %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+// approvalRequest is the parsed --approval-* CLI args that the forked
+// dialog process consumes.
+type approvalRequest struct {
+	requestID      string
+	kind           string
+	initiator      string
+	peerName       string
+	sourceIP       string
+	username       string
+	subject        string
+	expiresAt      string
+	keyFingerprint string
+}
+
+func (r approvalRequest) displayPeer() string {
+	switch {
+	case r.initiator != "":
+		return r.initiator
+	case r.peerName != "":
+		return r.peerName
+	case r.sourceIP != "":
+		return r.sourceIP
+	default:
+		return "unknown peer"
+	}
+}
+
+// deadline returns the wall-clock auto-deny moment. Falls back to a short
+// local window when the daemon's expires_at is missing/unparsable, so a
+// stale value never leaves the dialog open indefinitely.
+func (r approvalRequest) deadline() time.Time {
+	if t, err := time.Parse(time.RFC3339, r.expiresAt); err == nil {
+		return t
+	}
+	return time.Now().Add(13 * time.Second)
+}
+
+func approvalTitle(kind string) string {
+	switch kind {
+	case "vnc":
+		return "Allow VNC Connection?"
+	case "ssh":
+		return "Allow SSH Connection?"
+	default:
+		return "Allow Incoming Connection?"
+	}
+}

client/ui/client_ui.go

@@ -112,13 +112,25 @@ func main() {
 		showQuickActions:  flags.showQuickActions,
 		showUpdate:        flags.showUpdate,
 		showUpdateVersion: flags.showUpdateVersion,
+		showApproval:      flags.showApproval,
+		approvalRequest: approvalRequest{
+			requestID:      flags.approvalRequestID,
+			kind:           flags.approvalKind,
+			initiator:      os.Getenv(envApprovalInitiator),
+			peerName:       os.Getenv(envApprovalPeerName),
+			sourceIP:       os.Getenv(envApprovalSourceIP),
+			username:       os.Getenv(envApprovalUsername),
+			subject:        os.Getenv(envApprovalSubject),
+			expiresAt:      flags.approvalExpiresAt,
+			keyFingerprint: os.Getenv(envApprovalKeyFingerprint),
+		},
 	})
 
 	// Watch for theme/settings changes to update the icon.
 	go watchSettingsChanges(a, client)
 
 	// Run in window mode if any UI flag was set.
-	if flags.showSettings || flags.showNetworks || flags.showDebug || flags.showLoginURL || flags.showProfiles || flags.showQuickActions || flags.showUpdate {
+	if flags.showSettings || flags.showNetworks || flags.showDebug || flags.showLoginURL || flags.showProfiles || flags.showQuickActions || flags.showUpdate || flags.showApproval {
 		a.Run()
 		return
 	}
@@ -155,6 +167,11 @@ type cliFlags struct {
 	saveLogsInFile    bool
 	showUpdate        bool
 	showUpdateVersion string
+	showApproval      bool
+
+	approvalRequestID string
+	approvalKind      string
+	approvalExpiresAt string
 }
 
 // parseFlags reads and returns all needed command-line flags.
@@ -176,6 +193,10 @@ func parseFlags() *cliFlags {
 	flag.BoolVar(&flags.showLoginURL, "login-url", false, "show login URL in a popup window")
 	flag.BoolVar(&flags.showUpdate, "update", false, "show update progress window")
 	flag.StringVar(&flags.showUpdateVersion, "update-version", "", "version to update to")
+	flag.BoolVar(&flags.showApproval, "approval", false, "show inbound-connection approval prompt window")
+	flag.StringVar(&flags.approvalRequestID, "approval-request-id", "", "approval prompt: daemon-issued request id")
+	flag.StringVar(&flags.approvalKind, "approval-kind", "", "approval prompt: subsystem kind (vnc, ssh, ...)")
+	flag.StringVar(&flags.approvalExpiresAt, "approval-expires-at", "", "approval prompt: RFC3339 deadline at which the daemon auto-denies")
 	flag.Parse()
 	return &flags
 }
@@ -264,6 +285,7 @@ type serviceClient struct {
 	mQuit              *systray.MenuItem
 	mNetworks          *systray.MenuItem
 	mAllowSSH          *systray.MenuItem
+	mAllowVNC          *systray.MenuItem
 	mAutoConnect       *systray.MenuItem
 	mEnableRosenpass   *systray.MenuItem
 	mLazyConnEnabled   *systray.MenuItem
@@ -302,6 +324,8 @@ type serviceClient struct {
 	sEnableSSHRemotePortForward *widget.Check
 	sDisableSSHAuth             *widget.Check
 	iSSHJWTCacheTTL             *widget.Entry
+	sServerVNCAllowed           *widget.Check
+	sDisableVNCApproval         *widget.Check
 
 	// observable settings over corresponding iMngURL and iPreSharedKey values.
 	managementURL string
@@ -323,6 +347,8 @@ type serviceClient struct {
 	enableSSHRemotePortForward bool
 	disableSSHAuth             bool
 	sshJWTCacheTTL             int
+	serverVNCAllowed           bool
+	disableVNCApproval         bool
 
 	connected            bool
 	daemonVersion        string
@@ -381,6 +407,8 @@ type newServiceClientArgs struct {
 	showQuickActions  bool
 	showUpdate        bool
 	showUpdateVersion string
+	showApproval      bool
+	approvalRequest   approvalRequest
 }
 
 // newServiceClient instance constructor
@@ -428,6 +456,8 @@ func newServiceClient(args *newServiceClientArgs) *serviceClient {
 		}
 	case args.showUpdate:
 		s.showUpdateProgress(ctx, args.showUpdateVersion)
+	case args.showApproval:
+		s.showApprovalUI(args.approvalRequest)
 	}
 
 	return s
@@ -508,6 +538,8 @@ func (s *serviceClient) showSettingsUI() {
 	s.sEnableSSHRemotePortForward = widget.NewCheck("Enable SSH Remote Port Forwarding", nil)
 	s.sDisableSSHAuth = widget.NewCheck("Disable SSH Authentication", nil)
 	s.iSSHJWTCacheTTL = widget.NewEntry()
+	s.sServerVNCAllowed = widget.NewCheck("Allow embedded VNC server on this peer", nil)
+	s.sDisableVNCApproval = widget.NewCheck("Skip per-connection approval prompt for VNC", nil)
 
 	s.wSettings.SetContent(s.getSettingsForm())
 	s.wSettings.Resize(fyne.NewSize(600, 400))
@@ -620,7 +652,8 @@ func (s *serviceClient) hasSettingsChanged(iMngURL string, port, mtu int64) bool
 		s.disableServerRoutes != s.sDisableServerRoutes.Checked ||
 		s.disableIPv6 != s.sDisableIPv6.Checked ||
 		s.blockLANAccess != s.sBlockLANAccess.Checked ||
-		s.hasSSHChanges()
+		s.hasSSHChanges() ||
+		s.hasVNCChanges()
 }
 
 func (s *serviceClient) applySettingsChanges(iMngURL string, port, mtu int64) error {
@@ -679,6 +712,8 @@ func (s *serviceClient) buildSetConfigRequest(iMngURL string, port, mtu int64) (
 	req.EnableSSHLocalPortForwarding = &s.sEnableSSHLocalPortForward.Checked
 	req.EnableSSHRemotePortForwarding = &s.sEnableSSHRemotePortForward.Checked
 	req.DisableSSHAuth = &s.sDisableSSHAuth.Checked
+	req.ServerVNCAllowed = &s.sServerVNCAllowed.Checked
+	req.DisableVNCApproval = &s.sDisableVNCApproval.Checked
 
 	sshJWTCacheTTLText := strings.TrimSpace(s.iSSHJWTCacheTTL.Text)
 	if sshJWTCacheTTLText != "" {
@@ -747,10 +782,12 @@ func (s *serviceClient) getSettingsForm() fyne.CanvasObject {
 	connectionForm := s.getConnectionForm()
 	networkForm := s.getNetworkForm()
 	sshForm := s.getSSHForm()
+	vncForm := s.getVNCForm()
 	tabs := container.NewAppTabs(
 		container.NewTabItem("Connection", connectionForm),
 		container.NewTabItem("Network", networkForm),
 		container.NewTabItem("SSH", sshForm),
+		container.NewTabItem("VNC", vncForm),
 	)
 	saveButton := widget.NewButtonWithIcon("Save", theme.ConfirmIcon(), s.saveSettings)
 	saveButton.Importance = widget.HighImportance
@@ -791,6 +828,15 @@ func (s *serviceClient) getSSHForm() *widget.Form {
 	}
 }
 
+func (s *serviceClient) getVNCForm() *widget.Form {
+	return &widget.Form{
+		Items: []*widget.FormItem{
+			{Text: "Allow VNC Server", Widget: s.sServerVNCAllowed},
+			{Text: "Disable Connection Approval Prompt", Widget: s.sDisableVNCApproval},
+		},
+	}
+}
+
 func (s *serviceClient) hasSSHChanges() bool {
 	currentSSHJWTCacheTTL := s.sshJWTCacheTTL
 	if text := strings.TrimSpace(s.iSSHJWTCacheTTL.Text); text != "" {
@@ -809,6 +855,11 @@ func (s *serviceClient) hasSSHChanges() bool {
 		s.sshJWTCacheTTL != currentSSHJWTCacheTTL
 }
 
+func (s *serviceClient) hasVNCChanges() bool {
+	return s.serverVNCAllowed != s.sServerVNCAllowed.Checked ||
+		s.disableVNCApproval != s.sDisableVNCApproval.Checked
+}
+
 func (s *serviceClient) login(ctx context.Context, openURL bool) (*proto.LoginResponse, error) {
 	conn, err := s.getSrvClient(defaultFailTimeout)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -1092,6 +1143,7 @@ func (s *serviceClient) onTrayReady() {
 
 	s.mSettings = systray.AddMenuItem("Settings", disabledMenuDescr)
 	s.mAllowSSH = s.mSettings.AddSubMenuItemCheckbox("Allow SSH", allowSSHMenuDescr, false)
+	s.mAllowVNC = s.mSettings.AddSubMenuItemCheckbox("Allow VNC", allowVNCMenuDescr, false)
 	s.mAutoConnect = s.mSettings.AddSubMenuItemCheckbox("Connect on Startup", autoConnectMenuDescr, false)
 	s.mEnableRosenpass = s.mSettings.AddSubMenuItemCheckbox("Enable Quantum-Resistance", quantumResistanceMenuDescr, false)
 	s.mLazyConnEnabled = s.mSettings.AddSubMenuItemCheckbox("Enable Lazy Connections", lazyConnMenuDescr, false)
@@ -1172,6 +1224,7 @@ func (s *serviceClient) onTrayReady() {
 
 	s.eventManager = event.NewManager(s.notifier, s.addr)
 	s.eventManager.SetNotificationsEnabled(s.mNotifications.Checked())
+	s.eventManager.AddHandler(s.handleApprovalEvent)
 	s.eventManager.AddHandler(func(event *proto.SystemEvent) {
 		if event.Category == proto.SystemEvent_SYSTEM {
 			s.updateExitNodes()
@@ -1454,6 +1507,12 @@ func (s *serviceClient) getSrvConfig() {
 	if cfg.SSHJWTCacheTTL != nil {
 		s.sshJWTCacheTTL = *cfg.SSHJWTCacheTTL
 	}
+	if cfg.ServerVNCAllowed != nil {
+		s.serverVNCAllowed = *cfg.ServerVNCAllowed
+	}
+	if cfg.DisableVNCApproval != nil {
+		s.disableVNCApproval = *cfg.DisableVNCApproval
+	}
 
 	if s.showAdvancedSettings {
 		s.iMngURL.SetText(s.managementURL)
@@ -1509,6 +1568,12 @@ func (s *serviceClient) getSrvConfig() {
 		if cfg.SSHJWTCacheTTL != nil {
 			s.iSSHJWTCacheTTL.SetText(strconv.Itoa(*cfg.SSHJWTCacheTTL))
 		}
+		if cfg.ServerVNCAllowed != nil {
+			s.sServerVNCAllowed.SetChecked(*cfg.ServerVNCAllowed)
+		}
+		if cfg.DisableVNCApproval != nil {
+			s.sDisableVNCApproval.SetChecked(*cfg.DisableVNCApproval)
+		}
 	}
 
 	// MDM locks must run before the mNotifications-nil early return:
@@ -1575,6 +1640,8 @@ func protoConfigToConfig(cfg *proto.GetConfigResponse) *profilemanager.Config {
 
 	config.DisableAutoConnect = cfg.DisableAutoConnect
 	config.ServerSSHAllowed = &cfg.ServerSSHAllowed
+	config.ServerVNCAllowed = &cfg.ServerVNCAllowed
+	config.DisableVNCApproval = &cfg.DisableVNCApproval
 	config.RosenpassEnabled = cfg.RosenpassEnabled
 	config.RosenpassPermissive = cfg.RosenpassPermissive
 	config.DisableNotifications = &cfg.DisableNotifications
@@ -1670,6 +1737,12 @@ func (s *serviceClient) loadSettings() {
 		s.mAllowSSH.Uncheck()
 	}
 
+	if cfg.ServerVNCAllowed {
+		s.mAllowVNC.Check()
+	} else {
+		s.mAllowVNC.Uncheck()
+	}
+
 	if cfg.DisableAutoConnect {
 		s.mAutoConnect.Uncheck()
 	} else {
@@ -1832,6 +1905,7 @@ func (s *serviceClient) applyMDMLocksToSettingsForm(set map[string]bool) {
 func (s *serviceClient) updateConfig() error {
 	disableAutoStart := !s.mAutoConnect.Checked()
 	sshAllowed := s.mAllowSSH.Checked()
+	vncAllowed := s.mAllowVNC.Checked()
 	rosenpassEnabled := s.mEnableRosenpass.Checked()
 	lazyConnectionEnabled := s.mLazyConnEnabled.Checked()
 	blockInbound := s.mBlockInbound.Checked()
@@ -1860,6 +1934,7 @@ func (s *serviceClient) updateConfig() error {
 		Username:              currUser.Username,
 		DisableAutoConnect:    &disableAutoStart,
 		ServerSSHAllowed:      &sshAllowed,
+		ServerVNCAllowed:      &vncAllowed,
 		RosenpassEnabled:      &rosenpassEnabled,
 		LazyConnectionEnabled: &lazyConnectionEnabled,
 		BlockInbound:          &blockInbound,

client/ui/const.go

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package main
 
 const (
 	allowSSHMenuDescr          = "Allow SSH connections"
+	allowVNCMenuDescr          = "Allow embedded VNC server"
 	autoConnectMenuDescr       = "Connect automatically when the service starts"
 	quantumResistanceMenuDescr = "Enable post-quantum security via Rosenpass"
 	lazyConnMenuDescr          = "[Experimental] Enable lazy connections"

client/ui/event/event.go

@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ func (e *Manager) handleEvent(event *proto.SystemEvent) {
 	handlers := slices.Clone(e.handlers)
 	e.mu.Unlock()
 
-	if event.UserMessage != "" && (enabled || event.Severity == proto.SystemEvent_CRITICAL) && !isV6DefaultRoutePartner(event) {
+	if event.UserMessage != "" && (enabled || event.Severity == proto.SystemEvent_CRITICAL) && !isV6DefaultRoutePartner(event) && event.Category != proto.SystemEvent_APPROVAL {
 		title := e.getEventTitle(event)
 		body := event.UserMessage
 		id := event.Metadata["id"]

client/ui/event_handler.go

@@ -39,6 +39,8 @@ func (h *eventHandler) listen(ctx context.Context) {
 			h.handleDisconnectClick()
 		case <-h.client.mAllowSSH.ClickedCh:
 			h.handleAllowSSHClick()
+		case <-h.client.mAllowVNC.ClickedCh:
+			h.handleAllowVNCClick()
 		case <-h.client.mAutoConnect.ClickedCh:
 			h.handleAutoConnectClick()
 		case <-h.client.mEnableRosenpass.ClickedCh:
@@ -134,6 +136,15 @@ func (h *eventHandler) handleAllowSSHClick() {
 
 }
 
+func (h *eventHandler) handleAllowVNCClick() {
+	h.toggleCheckbox(h.client.mAllowVNC)
+	if err := h.updateConfigWithErr(); err != nil {
+		h.toggleCheckbox(h.client.mAllowVNC) // revert checkbox state on error
+		log.Errorf("failed to update config: %v", err)
+		h.client.notifier.Send("Error", "Failed to update VNC settings")
+	}
+}
+
 func (h *eventHandler) handleAutoConnectClick() {
 	h.toggleCheckbox(h.client.mAutoConnect)
 	if err := h.updateConfigWithErr(); err != nil {

client/vnc/ports.go

@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+// Package vnc holds shared constants for the NetBird embedded VNC stack
+// so non-server consumers (CLI capture, debug tooling) can refer to the
+// well-known ports without depending on internal engine packages.
+package vnc
+
+// External and internal listen ports for the embedded VNC server.
+// ExternalPort is what dashboard / browser clients see; the daemon
+// DNATs it to InternalPort, where the in-process VNC server actually
+// listens. Both flow over the WireGuard interface. AgentLegacyPort is
+// the TCP port the per-session agent used before it switched to Unix
+// sockets; kept here so packet captures from older builds still get
+// tagged, and so any future on-wire agent variant has a reserved port.
+const (
+	ExternalPort    uint16 = 5900
+	InternalPort    uint16 = 25900
+	AgentLegacyPort uint16 = 15900
+)
+
+// WellKnownPorts is the unordered set of ports a packet capture should
+// treat as carrying NetBird VNC traffic.
+var WellKnownPorts = [...]uint16{ExternalPort, InternalPort, AgentLegacyPort}
+
+// IsWellKnownPort reports whether port matches any of WellKnownPorts.
+func IsWellKnownPort(port uint16) bool {
+	for _, p := range WellKnownPorts {
+		if port == p {
+			return true
+		}
+	}
+	return false
+}

client/vnc/server/agent_darwin.go

@@ -0,0 +1,434 @@
+//go:build darwin && !ios
+
+package server
+
+import (
+	"bytes"
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"net"
+	"os"
+	"os/exec"
+	"strconv"
+	"sync"
+	"syscall"
+	"time"
+
+	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
+	"golang.org/x/sys/unix"
+
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/configs"
+)
+
+// darwinAgentManager spawns a per-user VNC agent on demand and keeps it
+// alive across multiple client connections within the same console-user
+// session. A new agent is spawned the first time a client connects, or
+// whenever the console user changes underneath us.
+//
+// Lifecycle is lazy by design: a daemon that never receives a VNC
+// connection never spawns anything. The trade-off versus an eager spawn
+// (the Windows model) is that the first VNC client pays the launchctl
+// asuser + listen-readiness wait, ~hundreds of milliseconds in practice.
+// That cost only repeats on user switch.
+type darwinAgentManager struct {
+	mu         sync.Mutex
+	authToken  string
+	socketPath string
+	uid        uint32
+	running    bool
+}
+
+func newDarwinAgentManager(ctx context.Context) *darwinAgentManager {
+	m := &darwinAgentManager{}
+	go m.watchConsoleUser(ctx)
+	return m
+}
+
+// agentSocketName is the file name inside the per-uid socket directory
+// the agent binds. The directory itself is created and chowned by the
+// daemon (see prepareAgentSocketDir) so a non-root local user cannot
+// pre-create or symlink the path before the agent listens.
+const agentSocketName = "agent.sock"
+
+// watchConsoleUser kills the cached agent whenever the console user
+// changes (logout, fast user switch, login window). Without it the daemon
+// keeps proxying to an agent whose TCC grant and WindowServer access
+// belong to a user who is no longer at the screen, so the new user only
+// ever sees the locked-screen wallpaper. Killing the agent breaks the
+// loopback TCP that the daemon proxies into, the client disconnects, and
+// the next reconnect runs ensure() against the new console uid.
+func (m *darwinAgentManager) watchConsoleUser(ctx context.Context) {
+	t := time.NewTicker(2 * time.Second)
+	defer t.Stop()
+	for {
+		select {
+		case <-ctx.Done():
+			return
+		case <-t.C:
+			uid, err := consoleUserID()
+			m.mu.Lock()
+			if !m.running {
+				m.mu.Unlock()
+				continue
+			}
+			if err != nil || uid != m.uid {
+				prev := m.uid
+				m.killLocked()
+				m.mu.Unlock()
+				if err != nil {
+					log.Infof("console user gone (was uid=%d): %v; agent stopped", prev, err)
+				} else {
+					log.Infof("console user changed %d -> %d; agent stopped, will respawn on next connect", prev, uid)
+				}
+				continue
+			}
+			m.mu.Unlock()
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// Resolve spawns or respawns the per-user agent process as needed and
+// returns its Unix-socket path, shared token, and the uid the agent was
+// spawned under (so the daemon can validate peer credentials before
+// dispatching the token). Each call is serialized so concurrent VNC
+// clients share the same agent.
+func (m *darwinAgentManager) Resolve(ctx context.Context) (string, string, uint32, error) {
+	consoleUID, err := consoleUserID()
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", "", 0, fmt.Errorf("no console user: %w", err)
+	}
+	m.mu.Lock()
+	defer m.mu.Unlock()
+	if m.running && m.uid == consoleUID && vncAgentRunning() {
+		return m.socketPath, m.authToken, m.uid, nil
+	}
+	m.killLocked()
+	// Reap stray agents so the new token is the only accepted one.
+	killAllVNCAgents()
+
+	socketDir, err := prepareAgentSocketDir(consoleUID)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", "", 0, fmt.Errorf("prepare agent socket dir: %w", err)
+	}
+	socketPath := socketDir + "/" + agentSocketName
+	if err := os.Remove(socketPath); err != nil && !errors.Is(err, os.ErrNotExist) {
+		log.Debugf("clear stale agent socket %s: %v", socketPath, err)
+	}
+
+	token, err := generateAuthToken()
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", "", 0, fmt.Errorf("generate agent auth token: %w", err)
+	}
+	if err := spawnAgentForUser(consoleUID, socketPath, token); err != nil {
+		return "", "", 0, err
+	}
+	if err := waitForAgent(ctx, socketPath, 5*time.Second); err != nil {
+		killAllVNCAgents()
+		return "", "", 0, fmt.Errorf("agent did not start listening: %w", err)
+	}
+	m.authToken = token
+	m.socketPath = socketPath
+	m.uid = consoleUID
+	m.running = true
+	log.Infof("spawned VNC agent for console uid=%d on %s", consoleUID, socketPath)
+	return socketPath, token, consoleUID, nil
+}
+
+// prepareAgentSocketDir creates a per-uid subdirectory under the netbird
+// runtime directory where the agent will bind its Unix socket. The leaf is
+// owned by uid with mode 0700, so only the target user and root can write
+// there. The parent is created root-owned with mode 0755 if missing.
+// Symlinks at the per-uid level are refused (replaced with a fresh
+// directory) so a low-priv user cannot redirect the chown that follows.
+func prepareAgentSocketDir(uid uint32) (string, error) {
+	parent := configs.RuntimeDir
+	if err := ensureAgentSocketParent(parent); err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	subdir := fmt.Sprintf("%s/vnc-%d", parent, uid)
+	if err := purgeStaleAgentSubdir(subdir, uid); err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	if err := os.Mkdir(subdir, 0o700); err != nil && !errors.Is(err, os.ErrExist) {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("mkdir %s: %w", subdir, err)
+	}
+	if err := os.Chmod(subdir, 0o700); err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("chmod %s: %w", subdir, err)
+	}
+	if err := os.Chown(subdir, int(uid), -1); err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("chown %s -> uid %d: %w", subdir, uid, err)
+	}
+	return subdir, nil
+}
+
+// ensureAgentSocketParent verifies the runtime parent dir exists, is not a
+// symlink, and is owned by root.
+func ensureAgentSocketParent(parent string) error {
+	if parent == "" {
+		return fmt.Errorf("no runtime directory configured for this platform")
+	}
+	if err := os.MkdirAll(parent, 0o755); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("mkdir %s: %w", parent, err)
+	}
+	info, err := os.Lstat(parent)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("lstat %s: %w", parent, err)
+	}
+	if info.Mode()&os.ModeSymlink != 0 {
+		return fmt.Errorf("%s is a symlink", parent)
+	}
+	if st, ok := info.Sys().(*syscall.Stat_t); ok && st.Uid != 0 {
+		return fmt.Errorf("%s not owned by root (uid=%d)", parent, st.Uid)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// purgeStaleAgentSubdir removes a leftover subdir unless it is a real dir
+// owned by uid with mode 0700. Lstat (not Stat) so a symlink is detected.
+func purgeStaleAgentSubdir(subdir string, uid uint32) error {
+	info, err := os.Lstat(subdir)
+	if errors.Is(err, os.ErrNotExist) {
+		return nil
+	}
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("lstat %s: %w", subdir, err)
+	}
+	if agentSubdirOK(info, uid) {
+		return nil
+	}
+	if err := os.RemoveAll(subdir); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("remove stale %s: %w", subdir, err)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func agentSubdirOK(info os.FileInfo, uid uint32) bool {
+	if info.Mode()&os.ModeSymlink != 0 || !info.IsDir() {
+		return false
+	}
+	st, ok := info.Sys().(*syscall.Stat_t)
+	if !ok {
+		return false
+	}
+	return st.Uid == uid && info.Mode().Perm() == 0o700
+}
+
+// stop terminates the spawned agent, if any. Intended for daemon shutdown.
+func (m *darwinAgentManager) stop() {
+	m.mu.Lock()
+	defer m.mu.Unlock()
+	m.killLocked()
+}
+
+func (m *darwinAgentManager) killLocked() {
+	if !m.running {
+		return
+	}
+	killAllVNCAgents()
+	if m.socketPath != "" {
+		if err := os.Remove(m.socketPath); err != nil && !errors.Is(err, os.ErrNotExist) {
+			log.Debugf("remove agent socket %s: %v", m.socketPath, err)
+		}
+	}
+	m.running = false
+	m.authToken = ""
+	m.socketPath = ""
+	m.uid = 0
+}
+
+// consoleUserID returns the uid of the user currently sitting at the
+// console (the one whose Aqua session is active). Returns
+// errNoConsoleUser when nobody is logged in: at the login window
+// /dev/console is owned by root.
+func consoleUserID() (uint32, error) {
+	info, err := os.Stat("/dev/console")
+	if err != nil {
+		return 0, fmt.Errorf("stat /dev/console: %w", err)
+	}
+	st, ok := info.Sys().(*syscall.Stat_t)
+	if !ok {
+		return 0, fmt.Errorf("/dev/console stat has unexpected type")
+	}
+	if st.Uid == 0 {
+		return 0, errNoConsoleUser
+	}
+	return st.Uid, nil
+}
+
+// spawnAgentForUser uses launchctl asuser to start a netbird vnc-agent
+// process inside the target user's launchd bootstrap namespace. That is
+// the only spawn mode on macOS that gives the child access to the user's
+// WindowServer. The agent's stderr is relogged into the daemon log so
+// startup failures are not silently lost when the readiness check times
+// out.
+func spawnAgentForUser(uid uint32, socketPath, token string) error {
+	exe, err := os.Executable()
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("resolve own executable: %w", err)
+	}
+	cmd := exec.Command(
+		"/bin/launchctl", "asuser", strconv.FormatUint(uint64(uid), 10),
+		exe, vncAgentSubcommand,
+		"--socket", socketPath,
+		// Drop privs inside the agent: launchctl asuser preserves the
+		// daemon's uid (root), so without this the capture/input/
+		// encoder paths would run as root for the lifetime of the
+		// session. validateAgentPeer on the daemon side also relies on
+		// the agent's effective uid matching consoleUID.
+		"--target-uid", strconv.FormatUint(uint64(uid), 10),
+	)
+	cmd.Env = append(os.Environ(), agentTokenEnvVar+"="+token)
+	stderr, err := cmd.StderrPipe()
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("agent stderr pipe: %w", err)
+	}
+	if err := cmd.Start(); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("launchctl asuser: %w", err)
+	}
+	go func() {
+		defer stderr.Close()
+		relogAgentStream(stderr)
+	}()
+	go func() { _ = cmd.Wait() }()
+	return nil
+}
+
+// waitForAgent dials the agent's Unix socket until it answers. Used to
+// gate proxy attempts until the spawned process has finished its Start.
+func waitForAgent(ctx context.Context, socketPath string, wait time.Duration) error {
+	var d net.Dialer
+	deadline := time.Now().Add(wait)
+	for time.Now().Before(deadline) {
+		if ctx.Err() != nil {
+			return ctx.Err()
+		}
+		dialCtx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(ctx, 200*time.Millisecond)
+		c, err := d.DialContext(dialCtx, "unix", socketPath)
+		cancel()
+		if err == nil {
+			_ = c.Close()
+			return nil
+		}
+		time.Sleep(100 * time.Millisecond)
+	}
+	return fmt.Errorf("timeout dialing %s", socketPath)
+}
+
+// vncAgentRunning reports whether any vnc-agent process exists on the
+// system. There is at most one agent per machine, so any match is "the"
+// agent.
+func vncAgentRunning() bool {
+	pids, err := vncAgentPIDs()
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Debugf("scan for vnc-agent: %v", err)
+		return false
+	}
+	return len(pids) > 0
+}
+
+// killAllVNCAgents sends SIGTERM to every process whose argv contains
+// "vnc-agent", waits briefly for them to exit, and escalates to SIGKILL
+// for any that remain. We enumerate kern.proc.all rather than
+// kern.proc.uid because launchctl asuser preserves the caller's uid
+// (root) on the spawned child, so a uid-scoped filter would never match.
+func killAllVNCAgents() {
+	pids, err := vncAgentPIDs()
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Debugf("scan for vnc-agent: %v", err)
+		return
+	}
+	for _, pid := range pids {
+		_ = syscall.Kill(pid, syscall.SIGTERM)
+	}
+	if len(pids) == 0 {
+		return
+	}
+	deadline := time.Now().Add(2 * time.Second)
+	for time.Now().Before(deadline) {
+		remaining, _ := vncAgentPIDs()
+		if len(remaining) == 0 {
+			return
+		}
+		time.Sleep(100 * time.Millisecond)
+	}
+	leftover, _ := vncAgentPIDs()
+	for _, pid := range leftover {
+		_ = syscall.Kill(pid, syscall.SIGKILL)
+	}
+}
+
+// vncAgentPIDs returns the pids of vnc-agent subprocesses spawned from
+// this binary. Matches exactly on argv[0] == our own executable path
+// AND argv[1] == "vnc-agent" so unrelated processes that happen to have
+// the same name elsewhere in argv are not targeted. Skips pid 0 and 1
+// defensively.
+func vncAgentPIDs() ([]int, error) {
+	procs, err := unix.SysctlKinfoProcSlice("kern.proc.all")
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("sysctl kern.proc.all: %w", err)
+	}
+	ownExe, err := os.Executable()
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("resolve own executable: %w", err)
+	}
+	var out []int
+	for i := range procs {
+		pid := int(procs[i].Proc.P_pid)
+		if pid <= 1 {
+			continue
+		}
+		argv, err := procArgv(pid)
+		if err != nil || !argvIsVNCAgent(argv, ownExe) {
+			continue
+		}
+		out = append(out, pid)
+	}
+	return out, nil
+}
+
+// procArgv reads the kernel's stored argv for pid via the kern.procargs2
+// sysctl. Format: 4-byte argc, then argv[0..argc) each NUL-terminated,
+// then envp, then padding. We only need argv so we stop after argc.
+func procArgv(pid int) ([]string, error) {
+	raw, err := unix.SysctlRaw("kern.procargs2", pid)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	if len(raw) < 4 {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("procargs2 truncated")
+	}
+	argc := int(raw[0]) | int(raw[1])<<8 | int(raw[2])<<16 | int(raw[3])<<24
+	body := raw[4:]
+	// Skip the executable path (NUL-terminated) and any zero padding that
+	// follows before argv[0].
+	end := bytes.IndexByte(body, 0)
+	if end < 0 {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("procargs2 path unterminated")
+	}
+	body = body[end+1:]
+	for len(body) > 0 && body[0] == 0 {
+		body = body[1:]
+	}
+	args := make([]string, 0, argc)
+	for i := 0; i < argc; i++ {
+		end := bytes.IndexByte(body, 0)
+		if end < 0 {
+			break
+		}
+		args = append(args, string(body[:end]))
+		body = body[end+1:]
+	}
+	return args, nil
+}
+
+// argvIsVNCAgent reports whether argv belongs to a vnc-agent subprocess
+// spawned from our binary. Requires argv[0] to match ownExe exactly and
+// argv[1] to be the vnc-agent subcommand. Matches the spawn shape in
+// spawnAgentForUser and rejects anything else.
+func argvIsVNCAgent(argv []string, ownExe string) bool {
+	if len(argv) < 2 || ownExe == "" {
+		return false
+	}
+	return argv[0] == ownExe && argv[1] == vncAgentSubcommand
+}

client/vnc/server/agent_ipc.go

@@ -0,0 +1,305 @@
+//go:build darwin || windows
+
+package server
+
+import (
+	"bufio"
+	"bytes"
+	"context"
+	crand "crypto/rand"
+	"encoding/hex"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"io"
+	"net"
+	"time"
+
+	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
+)
+
+// errNoConsoleUser is the sentinel returned by sessionAgent.Resolve when
+// the platform has no interactive user to attach a capture agent to (the
+// macOS loginwindow state). Mapped to a distinct RFB reject code so the
+// browser can show a meaningful message.
+var errNoConsoleUser = errors.New("no user logged into console")
+
+// sessionAgent abstracts the per-platform manager that spawns and tracks
+// the user-session VNC agent. Resolve returns the agent's Unix-socket
+// path, the shared per-spawn token, and the uid the agent was spawned
+// under (used to validate peer credentials before the daemon hands the
+// token to whoever is on the other end of the socket). Resolve may spawn
+// the agent lazily.
+type sessionAgent interface {
+	Resolve(ctx context.Context) (socketPath, token string, peerUID uint32, err error)
+}
+
+// prefixConn replays already-consumed header bytes ahead of the proxy
+// stream by swapping in a different Reader on the same underlying Conn.
+type prefixConn struct {
+	io.Reader
+	net.Conn
+}
+
+func (p *prefixConn) Read(b []byte) (int, error) { return p.Reader.Read(b) }
+
+// handleServiceConnection runs the connection-header handshake (source
+// check, Noise_IK auth) on conn, resolves the right per-session agent
+// via sa, and proxies to it. Every accepted connection emits exactly one
+// outcome line on the daemon log.
+func (s *Server) handleServiceConnection(conn net.Conn, sa sessionAgent) {
+	start := time.Now()
+	connLog := s.log.WithField("remote", conn.RemoteAddr().String())
+
+	if !s.isAllowedSource(conn.RemoteAddr()) {
+		connLog.Info("VNC connection rejected: source not allowed")
+		_ = conn.Close()
+		return
+	}
+
+	var headerBuf bytes.Buffer
+	tee := io.TeeReader(conn, &headerBuf)
+	teeConn := &prefixConn{Reader: tee, Conn: conn}
+
+	header, err := s.readConnectionHeader(teeConn)
+	if err != nil {
+		connLog.Infof("VNC connection rejected: header read failed: %v", err)
+		_ = conn.Close()
+		return
+	}
+
+	authedLog, sessionUserID, ok := s.authorizeSession(conn, header, connLog)
+	if !ok {
+		authedLog.Info("VNC connection rejected: auth failed")
+		return
+	}
+	if err := s.registerConnAuth(conn, header); err != nil {
+		rejectConnection(conn, codeMessage(RejectCodeAuthForbidden, err.Error()))
+		authedLog.Warnf("VNC connection rejected: %v", err)
+		return
+	}
+
+	decision, err := s.gateApproval(conn, header)
+	if err != nil {
+		authedLog.Infof("VNC connection rejected: %v", err)
+		return
+	}
+	if decision.ViewOnly {
+		authedLog.Info("VNC connection approved by user (view-only)")
+	} else if s.requireApproval {
+		authedLog.Info("VNC connection approved by user")
+	}
+
+	socketPath, token, peerUID, err := sa.Resolve(s.ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		code := RejectCodeCapturerError
+		if errors.Is(err, errNoConsoleUser) {
+			code = RejectCodeNoConsoleUser
+		}
+		rejectConnection(conn, codeMessage(code, err.Error()))
+		authedLog.Warnf("VNC connection rejected: agent unavailable: %v", err)
+		return
+	}
+
+	var initiator string
+	if s.authorizer != nil {
+		initiator = s.authorizer.LookupSessionDisplayName(header.clientStatic)
+	}
+	sessionID := s.addSession(ActiveSessionInfo{
+		RemoteAddress: conn.RemoteAddr().String(),
+		Mode:          modeString(header.mode),
+		Username:      header.username,
+		UserID:        sessionUserID,
+		Initiator:     initiator,
+	}, conn)
+	defer s.removeSession(sessionID)
+
+	replayConn := &prefixConn{
+		Reader: io.MultiReader(&headerBuf, conn),
+		Conn:   conn,
+	}
+	if err := proxyToAgent(s.ctx, replayConn, socketPath, token, peerUID, decision.ViewOnly, authedLog); err != nil {
+		rejectConnection(conn, codeMessage(RejectCodeCapturerError, err.Error()))
+		authedLog.Warnf("VNC connection rejected: agent unreachable: %v", err)
+		return
+	}
+	authedLog.Infof("VNC connection closed (%dms)", time.Since(start).Milliseconds())
+}
+
+const (
+	// agentTokenLen is the size of the random per-spawn token in bytes.
+	agentTokenLen = 32
+
+	// agentTokenEnvVar names the environment variable the daemon uses to
+	// hand the per-spawn token to the agent child. Out-of-band channels
+	// like this keep the secret out of the command line, where listings
+	// such as `ps` or Windows tasklist would expose it.
+	agentTokenEnvVar = "NB_VNC_AGENT_TOKEN" // #nosec G101 -- env var name, not a credential
+
+	// vncAgentSubcommand is the CLI subcommand the daemon invokes to start
+	// the per-session agent process. Must match cmd.vncAgentCmd.Use in
+	// client/cmd/vnc_agent.go.
+	vncAgentSubcommand = "vnc-agent"
+)
+
+// generateAuthToken returns a fresh hex-encoded random token for one
+// daemon→agent session. The daemon hands this to the spawned agent
+// out-of-band (env var on Windows) and verifies it on every connection
+// the agent accepts.
+func generateAuthToken() (string, error) {
+	b := make([]byte, agentTokenLen)
+	if _, err := crand.Read(b); err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("read random: %w", err)
+	}
+	return hex.EncodeToString(b), nil
+}
+
+// proxyToAgent dials the per-session agent's Unix socket, validates the
+// peer's kernel-asserted uid (so the daemon never hands its per-spawn
+// token to an impostor that won the listen race), writes the raw token
+// bytes plus a single view-only flag byte, then copies bytes both ways
+// until either side closes. The token + flag prefix must precede any RFB
+// byte so the agent's verifyAgentToken can run first. Returns nil once a
+// stream is established; the caller is responsible for sending an
+// RFB-level rejection on error so the client sees a reason instead of a
+// bare timeout. authedLog receives one audit line per dispatched
+// preamble so an operator can correlate daemon→agent traffic with the
+// remote session that triggered it.
+func proxyToAgent(ctx context.Context, client net.Conn, socketPath, authToken string, peerUID uint32, viewOnly bool, authedLog *log.Entry) error {
+	tokenBytes, err := hex.DecodeString(authToken)
+	if err != nil || len(tokenBytes) != agentTokenLen {
+		return fmt.Errorf("invalid auth token (len=%d): %w", len(tokenBytes), err)
+	}
+
+	agentConn, err := dialAgentWithRetry(ctx, socketPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("dial agent at %s: %w", socketPath, err)
+	}
+
+	if err := validateAgentPeer(agentConn, peerUID); err != nil {
+		_ = agentConn.Close()
+		return fmt.Errorf("agent peer validation failed: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	preamble := make([]byte, len(tokenBytes)+1)
+	copy(preamble, tokenBytes)
+	if viewOnly {
+		preamble[len(tokenBytes)] = 1
+	}
+	if _, err := agentConn.Write(preamble); err != nil {
+		_ = agentConn.Close()
+		return fmt.Errorf("send auth preamble to agent: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	// Audit: one line per successfully-dispatched daemon→agent preamble.
+	// Token printed as its first 8 hex chars (enough to correlate, not
+	// enough to use). Kept at Info so the default deployment captures it.
+	tokenFp := authToken
+	if len(tokenFp) > 8 {
+		tokenFp = tokenFp[:8]
+	}
+	if authedLog != nil {
+		authedLog.Infof("VNC IPC: dispatched preamble to agent socket=%s peer_uid=%d view_only=%v token_fp=%s", socketPath, peerUID, viewOnly, tokenFp)
+	}
+
+	defer client.Close()
+	defer agentConn.Close()
+	log.Debugf("proxy connected to agent, starting bidirectional copy")
+	done := make(chan struct{}, 2)
+	cp := func(label string, dst, src net.Conn) {
+		n, err := io.Copy(dst, src)
+		log.Debugf("proxy %s: %d bytes, err=%v", label, n, err)
+		done <- struct{}{}
+	}
+	go cp("client->agent", agentConn, client)
+	go cp("agent->client", client, agentConn)
+	<-done
+	return nil
+}
+
+// relogAgentStream reads log lines from the agent's stderr and re-emits
+// them through the daemon's logrus, so the merged log keeps a single
+// format. JSON lines (the agent's normal output) are parsed and dispatched
+// by level; plain-text lines (cobra errors, panic traces) are forwarded
+// verbatim so early-startup failures stay visible.
+func relogAgentStream(r io.Reader) {
+	entry := log.WithField("component", "vnc-agent")
+	scanner := bufio.NewScanner(r)
+	scanner.Buffer(make([]byte, 0, 64*1024), 1024*1024)
+	for scanner.Scan() {
+		line := scanner.Bytes()
+		if len(line) == 0 {
+			continue
+		}
+		if line[0] != '{' {
+			entry.Warn(string(line))
+			continue
+		}
+		var m map[string]any
+		if err := json.Unmarshal(line, &m); err != nil {
+			entry.Warn(string(line))
+			continue
+		}
+		msg, _ := m["msg"].(string)
+		if msg == "" {
+			continue
+		}
+		fields := make(log.Fields)
+		for k, v := range m {
+			switch k {
+			case "msg", "level", "time", "func":
+				continue
+			case "caller":
+				fields["source"] = v
+			default:
+				fields[k] = v
+			}
+		}
+		e := entry.WithFields(fields)
+		switch m["level"] {
+		case "error":
+			e.Error(msg)
+		case "warning":
+			e.Warn(msg)
+		case "debug":
+			e.Debug(msg)
+		case "trace":
+			e.Trace(msg)
+		default:
+			e.Info(msg)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// dialAgentWithRetry retries the loopback connect for up to ~10 s so the
+// daemon does not race the agent's first listen. Returns the live conn or
+// the final error. Aborts early when ctx is cancelled so a Stop() during
+// service-mode startup doesn't leave a goroutine sleeping for 10 s.
+func dialAgentWithRetry(ctx context.Context, addr string) (net.Conn, error) {
+	var d net.Dialer
+	var lastErr error
+	for range 50 {
+		if err := ctx.Err(); err != nil {
+			if lastErr == nil {
+				lastErr = err
+			}
+			return nil, lastErr
+		}
+		dialCtx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(ctx, time.Second)
+		c, err := d.DialContext(dialCtx, "unix", addr)
+		cancel()
+		if err == nil {
+			return c, nil
+		}
+		lastErr = err
+		select {
+		case <-ctx.Done():
+			if errors.Is(lastErr, context.Canceled) || errors.Is(lastErr, context.DeadlineExceeded) {
+				lastErr = ctx.Err()
+			}
+			return nil, lastErr
+		case <-time.After(200 * time.Millisecond):
+		}
+	}
+	return nil, lastErr
+}

client/vnc/server/agent_peercred_darwin.go

@@ -0,0 +1,46 @@
+//go:build darwin && !ios
+
+package server
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"net"
+
+	"golang.org/x/sys/unix"
+)
+
+// validateAgentPeer enforces that the peer behind the just-connected Unix
+// socket is the agent we expect it to be: a process running under
+// expectedUID, with the right effective uid stamped by the kernel on the
+// socket. Refuses (with a non-nil error) if anything else is listening on
+// the path (an unrelated local process that won the listen race or
+// squatted the path before us). Defends against the daemon shipping its
+// per-spawn auth token to a process that isn't the spawned agent.
+func validateAgentPeer(conn net.Conn, expectedUID uint32) error {
+	uconn, ok := conn.(*net.UnixConn)
+	if !ok {
+		return fmt.Errorf("peer cred: expected *net.UnixConn, got %T", conn)
+	}
+	raw, err := uconn.SyscallConn()
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("peer cred: syscall conn: %w", err)
+	}
+	var cred *unix.Xucred
+	var inner error
+	ctlErr := raw.Control(func(fd uintptr) {
+		cred, inner = unix.GetsockoptXucred(int(fd), unix.SOL_LOCAL, unix.LOCAL_PEERCRED)
+	})
+	if ctlErr != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("peer cred: control: %w", ctlErr)
+	}
+	if inner != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("peer cred: getsockopt LOCAL_PEERCRED: %w", inner)
+	}
+	if cred == nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("peer cred: nil xucred")
+	}
+	if cred.Uid != expectedUID {
+		return fmt.Errorf("peer cred: agent uid %d does not match expected %d", cred.Uid, expectedUID)
+	}
+	return nil
+}

client/vnc/server/agent_peercred_darwin_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,115 @@
+//go:build darwin && !ios
+
+package server
+
+import (
+	"net"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"strings"
+	"sync"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+// TestValidateAgentPeerAcceptsOwnUID confirms the happy path: a Unix
+// socket whose peer is the current process must validate when the
+// expected uid matches the process's own. Both sides of a unix-socket
+// pair share the same kernel cred, so this exercises the real getsockopt
+// LOCAL_PEERCRED path.
+func TestValidateAgentPeerAcceptsOwnUID(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	sockPath := filepath.Join(dir, "test.sock")
+	ln, err := net.Listen("unix", sockPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("listen: %v", err)
+	}
+	defer ln.Close()
+
+	var wg sync.WaitGroup
+	wg.Add(1)
+	go func() {
+		defer wg.Done()
+		c, err := ln.Accept()
+		if err == nil {
+			_ = c.Close()
+		}
+	}()
+	c, err := net.Dial("unix", sockPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("dial: %v", err)
+	}
+	defer c.Close()
+
+	if err := validateAgentPeer(c, uint32(os.Getuid())); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("validateAgentPeer rejected own uid: %v", err)
+	}
+	wg.Wait()
+}
+
+// TestValidateAgentPeerRejectsWrongUID ensures the validator fails when
+// the expected uid differs from the kernel-reported peer uid. This is
+// the path that catches a hostile process that won the listen race.
+func TestValidateAgentPeerRejectsWrongUID(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	sockPath := filepath.Join(dir, "test.sock")
+	ln, err := net.Listen("unix", sockPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("listen: %v", err)
+	}
+	defer ln.Close()
+
+	var wg sync.WaitGroup
+	wg.Add(1)
+	go func() {
+		defer wg.Done()
+		c, err := ln.Accept()
+		if err == nil {
+			_ = c.Close()
+		}
+	}()
+	c, err := net.Dial("unix", sockPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("dial: %v", err)
+	}
+	defer c.Close()
+
+	// Pick a uid the test process certainly isn't running as.
+	wrongUID := uint32(os.Getuid()) + 1
+	err = validateAgentPeer(c, wrongUID)
+	if err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("expected mismatch error, got nil")
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "does not match expected") {
+		t.Fatalf("error should mention uid mismatch, got: %v", err)
+	}
+	wg.Wait()
+}
+
+// TestValidateAgentPeerRejectsNonUnix protects against being handed a
+// non-Unix-socket connection (the validator can't enforce anything on
+// e.g. a *net.TCPConn so it must refuse rather than silently pass).
+func TestValidateAgentPeerRejectsNonUnix(t *testing.T) {
+	ln, err := net.Listen("tcp", "127.0.0.1:0")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("listen tcp: %v", err)
+	}
+	defer ln.Close()
+	var wg sync.WaitGroup
+	wg.Add(1)
+	go func() {
+		defer wg.Done()
+		c, err := ln.Accept()
+		if err == nil {
+			_ = c.Close()
+		}
+	}()
+	c, err := net.Dial("tcp", ln.Addr().String())
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("dial tcp: %v", err)
+	}
+	defer c.Close()
+	if err := validateAgentPeer(c, 0); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("expected refusal on non-unix conn, got nil")
+	}
+	wg.Wait()
+}

client/vnc/server/agent_peercred_windows.go

@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+//go:build windows
+
+package server
+
+import (
+	"net"
+)
+
+// validateAgentPeer is a documented no-op on Windows. AF_UNIX on Windows
+// exposes no SO_PEERCRED equivalent and no supported API to recover the
+// peer process from an accepted AF_UNIX connection, so the daemon cannot
+// match the connected peer against the agent PID it spawned the way the
+// darwin path does via LOCAL_PEERCRED. The Windows trust model therefore
+// rests on three other measures, none of which assume the socket path is
+// secret:
+//
+//   - the socket lives in a dedicated directory (agentSocketDir) created
+//     with a DACL granting only SYSTEM and Administrators, so an
+//     unprivileged local user cannot create or squat a socket there;
+//   - each spawn uses a cryptographically random socket name, so the path
+//     is unguessable before the agent binds it;
+//   - the daemon publishes the path only after confirming the spawned
+//     agent is listening (see waitForAgentListening), and gates every
+//     connection on the per-spawn auth-token preamble that follows this
+//     call.
+//
+// If a future Windows release exposes peer-PID retrieval for AF_UNIX,
+// this function should verify the peer against the spawned agent PID.
+func validateAgentPeer(_ net.Conn, _ uint32) error {
+	return nil
+}

client/vnc/server/agent_windows.go

@@ -0,0 +1,747 @@
+//go:build windows
+
+package server
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	crand "crypto/rand"
+	"encoding/binary"
+	"encoding/hex"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"net"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"runtime"
+	"sync"
+	"time"
+	"unsafe"
+
+	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
+	"golang.org/x/sys/windows"
+)
+
+const (
+	stillActive = 259
+
+	tokenPrimary          = 1
+	securityImpersonation = 2
+	tokenSessionID        = 12
+
+	createUnicodeEnvironment = 0x00000400
+	createNoWindow           = 0x08000000
+	createSuspended          = 0x00000004
+	createBreakawayFromJob   = 0x01000000
+)
+
+var (
+	kernel32 = windows.NewLazySystemDLL("kernel32.dll")
+	advapi32 = windows.NewLazySystemDLL("advapi32.dll")
+	userenv  = windows.NewLazySystemDLL("userenv.dll")
+
+	procWTSGetActiveConsoleSessionId = kernel32.NewProc("WTSGetActiveConsoleSessionId")
+	procCreateJobObjectW             = kernel32.NewProc("CreateJobObjectW")
+	procSetInformationJobObject      = kernel32.NewProc("SetInformationJobObject")
+	procAssignProcessToJobObject     = kernel32.NewProc("AssignProcessToJobObject")
+	procSetTokenInformation          = advapi32.NewProc("SetTokenInformation")
+	procCreateEnvironmentBlock       = userenv.NewProc("CreateEnvironmentBlock")
+	procDestroyEnvironmentBlock      = userenv.NewProc("DestroyEnvironmentBlock")
+
+	wtsapi32                       = windows.NewLazySystemDLL("wtsapi32.dll")
+	procWTSEnumerateSessionsW      = wtsapi32.NewProc("WTSEnumerateSessionsW")
+	procWTSFreeMemory              = wtsapi32.NewProc("WTSFreeMemory")
+	procWTSQuerySessionInformation = wtsapi32.NewProc("WTSQuerySessionInformationW")
+)
+
+// GetCurrentSessionID returns the session ID of the current process.
+func GetCurrentSessionID() uint32 {
+	var token windows.Token
+	if err := windows.OpenProcessToken(windows.CurrentProcess(),
+		windows.TOKEN_QUERY, &token); err != nil {
+		return 0
+	}
+	defer token.Close()
+	var id uint32
+	var ret uint32
+	_ = windows.GetTokenInformation(token, windows.TokenSessionId,
+		(*byte)(unsafe.Pointer(&id)), 4, &ret)
+	return id
+}
+
+func getConsoleSessionID() uint32 {
+	r, _, _ := procWTSGetActiveConsoleSessionId.Call()
+	return uint32(r)
+}
+
+const (
+	wtsActive       = 0
+	wtsConnected    = 1
+	wtsDisconnected = 4
+)
+
+// getActiveSessionID returns the session ID of the best session to attach to.
+// On a Windows Server with no console display attached, session 1 still
+// reports WTSActive (login screen "owns" the console), so a naive
+// first-active-wins pick lands on a session with no actual rendering.
+// Preference order:
+//  1. Active session with a user logged in (RDP user in session ≥2)
+//  2. Active session without a user (console at login screen)
+//  3. Console session ID
+func getActiveSessionID() uint32 {
+	var sessionInfo uintptr
+	var count uint32
+
+	r, _, _ := procWTSEnumerateSessionsW.Call(
+		0, // WTS_CURRENT_SERVER_HANDLE
+		0, // reserved
+		1, // version
+		uintptr(unsafe.Pointer(&sessionInfo)),
+		uintptr(unsafe.Pointer(&count)),
+	)
+	if r == 0 || count == 0 {
+		return getConsoleSessionID()
+	}
+	defer func() { _, _, _ = procWTSFreeMemory.Call(sessionInfo) }()
+
+	type wtsSession struct {
+		SessionID uint32
+		Station   *uint16
+		State     uint32
+	}
+	sessions := unsafe.Slice((*wtsSession)(unsafe.Pointer(sessionInfo)), count)
+
+	var withUser uint32
+	var withUserFound bool
+	var anyActive uint32
+	var anyActiveFound bool
+	for _, s := range sessions {
+		if s.SessionID == 0 {
+			continue
+		}
+		if s.State != wtsActive {
+			continue
+		}
+		if !anyActiveFound {
+			anyActive = s.SessionID
+			anyActiveFound = true
+		}
+		if !withUserFound && wtsSessionHasUser(s.SessionID) {
+			withUser = s.SessionID
+			withUserFound = true
+		}
+	}
+	if withUserFound {
+		return withUser
+	}
+	if anyActiveFound {
+		return anyActive
+	}
+	return getConsoleSessionID()
+}
+
+// wtsSessionHasUser returns true if the session has a non-empty user name,
+// i.e. someone is logged in (vs. the login/Welcome screen). The console
+// session at the lock screen has WTSUserName == "".
+const wtsUserName = 5
+
+func wtsSessionHasUser(sessionID uint32) bool {
+	var buf uintptr
+	var bytesReturned uint32
+	r, _, _ := procWTSQuerySessionInformation.Call(
+		0, // WTS_CURRENT_SERVER_HANDLE
+		uintptr(sessionID),
+		uintptr(wtsUserName),
+		uintptr(unsafe.Pointer(&buf)),
+		uintptr(unsafe.Pointer(&bytesReturned)),
+	)
+	if r == 0 || buf == 0 {
+		return false
+	}
+	defer func() { _, _, _ = procWTSFreeMemory.Call(buf) }()
+	// First UTF-16 code unit non-zero ⇒ non-empty username.
+	return *(*uint16)(unsafe.Pointer(buf)) != 0
+}
+
+// getSystemTokenForSession duplicates the current SYSTEM token and sets its
+// session ID so the spawned process runs in the target session. Using a SYSTEM
+// token gives access to both Default and Winlogon desktops plus UIPI bypass.
+func getSystemTokenForSession(sessionID uint32) (windows.Token, error) {
+	var cur windows.Token
+	if err := windows.OpenProcessToken(windows.CurrentProcess(),
+		windows.MAXIMUM_ALLOWED, &cur); err != nil {
+		return 0, fmt.Errorf("OpenProcessToken: %w", err)
+	}
+	defer cur.Close()
+
+	var dup windows.Token
+	if err := windows.DuplicateTokenEx(cur, windows.MAXIMUM_ALLOWED, nil,
+		securityImpersonation, tokenPrimary, &dup); err != nil {
+		return 0, fmt.Errorf("DuplicateTokenEx: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	sid := sessionID
+	r, _, err := procSetTokenInformation.Call(
+		uintptr(dup),
+		uintptr(tokenSessionID),
+		uintptr(unsafe.Pointer(&sid)),
+		unsafe.Sizeof(sid),
+	)
+	if r == 0 {
+		dup.Close()
+		return 0, fmt.Errorf("SetTokenInformation(SessionId=%d): %w", sessionID, err)
+	}
+	return dup, nil
+}
+
+// injectEnvVar appends a KEY=VALUE entry to a Unicode environment block.
+// The block is a sequence of null-terminated UTF-16 strings, terminated by
+// an extra null. Returns the new []uint16 backing slice; the caller must
+// hold the returned slice alive until CreateProcessAsUser completes.
+func injectEnvVar(envBlock uintptr, key, value string) []uint16 {
+	entry := key + "=" + value
+
+	// Walk the existing block to find its total length.
+	ptr := (*uint16)(unsafe.Pointer(envBlock))
+	var totalChars int
+	for {
+		ch := *(*uint16)(unsafe.Pointer(uintptr(unsafe.Pointer(ptr)) + uintptr(totalChars)*2))
+		if ch == 0 {
+			// Check for double-null terminator.
+			next := *(*uint16)(unsafe.Pointer(uintptr(unsafe.Pointer(ptr)) + uintptr(totalChars+1)*2))
+			totalChars++
+			if next == 0 {
+				// End of block (don't count the final null yet, we'll rebuild).
+				break
+			}
+		} else {
+			totalChars++
+		}
+	}
+
+	entryUTF16, _ := windows.UTF16FromString(entry)
+	// New block: existing entries + new entry (null-terminated) + final null.
+	newLen := totalChars + len(entryUTF16) + 1
+	newBlock := make([]uint16, newLen)
+	// Copy existing entries (up to but not including the final null).
+	for i := range totalChars {
+		newBlock[i] = *(*uint16)(unsafe.Pointer(uintptr(unsafe.Pointer(ptr)) + uintptr(i)*2))
+	}
+	copy(newBlock[totalChars:], entryUTF16)
+	newBlock[newLen-1] = 0 // final null terminator
+
+	return newBlock
+}
+
+func spawnAgentInSession(sessionID uint32, socketPath, authToken string, jobHandle windows.Handle) (windows.Handle, error) {
+	token, err := getSystemTokenForSession(sessionID)
+	if err != nil {
+		return 0, fmt.Errorf("get SYSTEM token for session %d: %w", sessionID, err)
+	}
+	defer token.Close()
+
+	var envBlock uintptr
+	r, _, e := procCreateEnvironmentBlock.Call(
+		uintptr(unsafe.Pointer(&envBlock)),
+		uintptr(token),
+		0,
+	)
+	if r == 0 {
+		// Without an environment block we cannot inject NB_VNC_AGENT_TOKEN;
+		// the agent would start unauthenticated. Abort instead of launching.
+		return 0, fmt.Errorf("CreateEnvironmentBlock: %w", e)
+	}
+	defer func() { _, _, _ = procDestroyEnvironmentBlock.Call(envBlock) }()
+
+	// Inject the auth token into the environment block so it doesn't appear
+	// in the process command line (visible via tasklist/wmic). injectedBlock
+	// must stay alive until CreateProcessAsUser returns.
+	injectedBlock := injectEnvVar(envBlock, agentTokenEnvVar, authToken)
+
+	exePath, err := os.Executable()
+	if err != nil {
+		return 0, fmt.Errorf("get executable path: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	cmdLine := fmt.Sprintf(`"%s" %s --socket %q`, exePath, vncAgentSubcommand, socketPath)
+	cmdLineW, err := windows.UTF16PtrFromString(cmdLine)
+	if err != nil {
+		return 0, fmt.Errorf("UTF16 cmdline: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	// Create an inheritable pipe for the agent's stderr so we can relog
+	// its output in the service process.
+	var sa windows.SecurityAttributes
+	sa.Length = uint32(unsafe.Sizeof(sa))
+	sa.InheritHandle = 1
+
+	var stderrRead, stderrWrite windows.Handle
+	if err := windows.CreatePipe(&stderrRead, &stderrWrite, &sa, 0); err != nil {
+		return 0, fmt.Errorf("create stderr pipe: %w", err)
+	}
+	// The read end must NOT be inherited by the child.
+	_ = windows.SetHandleInformation(stderrRead, windows.HANDLE_FLAG_INHERIT, 0)
+
+	desktop, _ := windows.UTF16PtrFromString(`WinSta0\Default`)
+	si := windows.StartupInfo{
+		Cb:         uint32(unsafe.Sizeof(windows.StartupInfo{})),
+		Desktop:    desktop,
+		Flags:      windows.STARTF_USESHOWWINDOW | windows.STARTF_USESTDHANDLES,
+		ShowWindow: 0,
+		StdErr:     stderrWrite,
+		StdOutput:  stderrWrite,
+	}
+	var pi windows.ProcessInformation
+
+	var envPtr *uint16
+	if len(injectedBlock) > 0 {
+		envPtr = &injectedBlock[0]
+	} else if envBlock != 0 {
+		envPtr = (*uint16)(unsafe.Pointer(envBlock))
+	}
+
+	// CREATE_SUSPENDED so we can assign the process to our Job Object
+	// before it executes. Without this the agent could spawn its own child
+	// processes and have them inherit the SCM service-job (not ours), or
+	// briefly listen on the agent port before we tear it down on rollback.
+	// CREATE_BREAKAWAY_FROM_JOB lets the child leave the SCM-managed
+	// service job; harmless if that job allows breakaway, and is required
+	// before AssignProcessToJobObject can succeed in the no-nested-jobs case.
+	err = windows.CreateProcessAsUser(
+		token, nil, cmdLineW,
+		nil, nil, true, // inheritHandles=true for the pipe
+		createUnicodeEnvironment|createNoWindow|createSuspended|createBreakawayFromJob,
+		envPtr, nil, &si, &pi,
+	)
+	runtime.KeepAlive(injectedBlock)
+	// Close the write end in the parent so reads will get EOF when the child exits.
+	_ = windows.CloseHandle(stderrWrite)
+	if err != nil {
+		_ = windows.CloseHandle(stderrRead)
+		return 0, fmt.Errorf("CreateProcessAsUser: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	if jobHandle != 0 {
+		r, _, e := procAssignProcessToJobObject.Call(uintptr(jobHandle), uintptr(pi.Process))
+		if r == 0 {
+			log.Warnf("assign agent to job object: %v (orphan possible on service crash)", e)
+		}
+	}
+
+	if _, err := windows.ResumeThread(pi.Thread); err != nil {
+		_ = windows.CloseHandle(pi.Thread)
+		_ = windows.TerminateProcess(pi.Process, 1)
+		_ = windows.CloseHandle(pi.Process)
+		_ = windows.CloseHandle(stderrRead)
+		return 0, fmt.Errorf("ResumeThread: %w", err)
+	}
+	_ = windows.CloseHandle(pi.Thread)
+
+	// Relog agent output in the service with a [vnc-agent] prefix.
+	go relogAgentOutput(stderrRead)
+
+	log.Infof("spawned agent PID=%d in session %d on %s", pi.ProcessId, sessionID, socketPath)
+	return pi.Process, nil
+}
+
+// sessionManager monitors the active console session and ensures a VNC agent
+// process is running in it. When the session changes (e.g., user switch, RDP
+// connect/disconnect), it kills the old agent and spawns a new one. Each
+// spawn picks a per-session Unix-socket path the agent binds and the
+// daemon dials over local IPC.
+type sessionManager struct {
+	mu             sync.Mutex
+	agentProc      windows.Handle
+	everSpawned    bool
+	agentStartedAt time.Time
+	spawnFailures  int
+	nextSpawnAt    time.Time
+	sessionID      uint32
+	authToken      string
+	socketPath     string
+	done           chan struct{}
+	// jobHandle owns the agent processes via a Windows Job Object with
+	// JOB_OBJECT_LIMIT_KILL_ON_JOB_CLOSE. When the service exits or crashes,
+	// the OS closes the handle and terminates every assigned agent: no
+	// orphaned agent processes holding a socket across restarts.
+	jobHandle windows.Handle
+}
+
+const (
+	// agentSocketDir is a dedicated subdirectory under C:\Windows\Temp that
+	// the daemon creates with a restrictive DACL (SYSTEM + Administrators
+	// only). The default ACL on C:\Windows\Temp grants BUILTIN\Users
+	// create-file rights, so the agent socket must not live directly there:
+	// an unprivileged local user could pre-create a predictable path and
+	// intercept the daemon→agent stream. Both the daemon and the agent run
+	// as SYSTEM, so a SYSTEM-write-only directory is sufficient.
+	agentSocketDir = `C:\Windows\Temp\netbird-vnc`
+
+	// agentSocketDirSDDL grants full access to Local System (SY) and the
+	// Builtin Administrators group (BA) only, with the DACL protected
+	// (P) from inheritance so the parent's BUILTIN\Users grant does not
+	// flow in. AI is omitted; PAI marks the DACL protected and auto-
+	// inherited entries cleared.
+	agentSocketDirSDDL = "D:PAI(A;;FA;;;SY)(A;;FA;;;BA)"
+
+	// agentSocketRandomLen is the number of random bytes mixed into each
+	// per-spawn socket name so the path is unguessable before the agent
+	// owns it.
+	agentSocketRandomLen = 16
+
+	// agentReadyTimeout bounds how long the daemon waits for the freshly
+	// spawned agent to bind and accept on its socket before treating the
+	// spawn as failed.
+	agentReadyTimeout = 5 * time.Second
+)
+
+func newSessionManager() *sessionManager {
+	m := &sessionManager{sessionID: ^uint32(0), done: make(chan struct{})}
+	if h, err := createKillOnCloseJob(); err != nil {
+		log.Warnf("create job object for vnc-agent (orphan agents possible after crash): %v", err)
+	} else {
+		m.jobHandle = h
+	}
+	return m
+}
+
+// createKillOnCloseJob returns a Job Object configured so that closing its
+// handle (process exit or explicit Close) terminates every process assigned
+// to it. Used to keep orphaned vnc-agent processes from outliving the service.
+func createKillOnCloseJob() (windows.Handle, error) {
+	r, _, e := procCreateJobObjectW.Call(0, 0)
+	if r == 0 {
+		return 0, fmt.Errorf("CreateJobObject: %w", e)
+	}
+	job := windows.Handle(r)
+
+	// JOBOBJECT_EXTENDED_LIMIT_INFORMATION on amd64 = 144 bytes.
+	//
+	//  JOBOBJECT_BASIC_LIMIT_INFORMATION  (64 bytes with alignment padding)
+	//    PerProcessUserTimeLimit  LARGE_INTEGER  off  0
+	//    PerJobUserTimeLimit      LARGE_INTEGER  off  8
+	//    LimitFlags               DWORD          off 16
+	//    [4 byte pad to align SIZE_T]
+	//    MinimumWorkingSetSize    SIZE_T         off 24
+	//    MaximumWorkingSetSize    SIZE_T         off 32
+	//    ActiveProcessLimit       DWORD          off 40
+	//    [4 byte pad to align ULONG_PTR]
+	//    Affinity                 ULONG_PTR      off 48
+	//    PriorityClass            DWORD          off 56
+	//    SchedulingClass          DWORD          off 60
+	//  IO_COUNTERS (48)  +  4 * SIZE_T (32)  =  144 total.
+	//
+	// We only set LimitFlags; the rest stays zero.
+	const sizeofExtended = 144
+	const offsetLimitFlags = 16
+	const jobObjectExtendedLimitInformation = 9
+	const jobObjectLimitKillOnJobClose = 0x00002000
+
+	var info [sizeofExtended]byte
+	binary.LittleEndian.PutUint32(info[offsetLimitFlags:offsetLimitFlags+4], jobObjectLimitKillOnJobClose)
+
+	r, _, e = procSetInformationJobObject.Call(
+		uintptr(job),
+		uintptr(jobObjectExtendedLimitInformation),
+		uintptr(unsafe.Pointer(&info[0])),
+		uintptr(sizeofExtended),
+	)
+	if r == 0 {
+		_ = windows.CloseHandle(job)
+		return 0, fmt.Errorf("SetInformationJobObject(KILL_ON_JOB_CLOSE): %w", e)
+	}
+	return job, nil
+}
+
+// Resolve returns the current agent socket path, shared token, and the
+// uid the agent runs under (0 on Windows since the agent runs as
+// SYSTEM in the interactive session; see validateAgentPeer for the
+// Windows trust model). The path is only published after the spawned
+// agent is confirmed listening, so a caller never receives a socket a
+// squatter could be holding. When no agent is spawned yet (initial
+// boot, between session switches, or permanently disabled when
+// SE_TCB_NAME is missing) it surfaces a distinct error so the daemon
+// can reject the connection with a meaningful message instead of timing
+// out the proxy dial.
+func (m *sessionManager) Resolve(_ context.Context) (string, string, uint32, error) {
+	m.mu.Lock()
+	defer m.mu.Unlock()
+	if m.socketPath == "" {
+		return "", "", 0, errAgentNotReady
+	}
+	return m.socketPath, m.authToken, 0, nil
+}
+
+var errAgentNotReady = errors.New("VNC agent not running yet")
+
+// Stop signals the session manager to exit its polling loop and closes the
+// Job Object handle, which Windows uses as the trigger to terminate every
+// agent process this manager spawned.
+func (m *sessionManager) Stop() {
+	select {
+	case <-m.done:
+	default:
+		close(m.done)
+	}
+	m.mu.Lock()
+	if m.jobHandle != 0 {
+		_ = windows.CloseHandle(m.jobHandle)
+		m.jobHandle = 0
+	}
+	m.mu.Unlock()
+}
+
+func (m *sessionManager) run() {
+	ticker := time.NewTicker(2 * time.Second)
+	defer ticker.Stop()
+
+	for {
+		if !m.tick() {
+			return
+		}
+		select {
+		case <-m.done:
+			m.mu.Lock()
+			m.killAgent()
+			m.mu.Unlock()
+			return
+		case <-ticker.C:
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// tick performs one session/agent-state update. Returns false if the manager
+// should permanently stop (e.g. missing SYSTEM privileges).
+func (m *sessionManager) tick() bool {
+	sid := getActiveSessionID()
+
+	m.mu.Lock()
+	defer m.mu.Unlock()
+
+	m.handleSessionChange(sid)
+	m.reapExitedAgent()
+	return m.maybeSpawnAgent(sid)
+}
+
+func (m *sessionManager) handleSessionChange(sid uint32) {
+	if sid == m.sessionID {
+		return
+	}
+	log.Infof("active session changed: %d -> %d", m.sessionID, sid)
+	m.killAgent()
+	m.sessionID = sid
+}
+
+func (m *sessionManager) reapExitedAgent() {
+	if m.agentProc == 0 {
+		return
+	}
+	var code uint32
+	if err := windows.GetExitCodeProcess(m.agentProc, &code); err != nil {
+		log.Debugf("GetExitCodeProcess: %v", err)
+		return
+	}
+	if code == stillActive {
+		return
+	}
+	m.scheduleNextSpawn(code, time.Since(m.agentStartedAt))
+	if err := windows.CloseHandle(m.agentProc); err != nil {
+		log.Debugf("close agent handle: %v", err)
+	}
+	m.agentProc = 0
+	m.authToken = ""
+	m.socketPath = ""
+}
+
+// scheduleNextSpawn applies an exponential backoff on fast crashes (<5s) and
+// resets immediately otherwise.
+func (m *sessionManager) scheduleNextSpawn(exitCode uint32, lifetime time.Duration) {
+	if lifetime < 5*time.Second {
+		m.spawnFailures++
+		backoff := time.Duration(1<<min(m.spawnFailures, 5)) * time.Second
+		if backoff > 30*time.Second {
+			backoff = 30 * time.Second
+		}
+		m.nextSpawnAt = time.Now().Add(backoff)
+		log.Warnf("agent exited (code=%d) after %v, retrying in %v (failures=%d)", exitCode, lifetime.Round(time.Millisecond), backoff, m.spawnFailures)
+		return
+	}
+	m.spawnFailures = 0
+	m.nextSpawnAt = time.Time{}
+	log.Infof("agent exited (code=%d) after %v, respawning", exitCode, lifetime.Round(time.Second))
+}
+
+// maybeSpawnAgent spawns a new agent if there's no current one and the backoff
+// window has elapsed. Returns false to permanently stop the manager when the
+// service lacks the privileges needed to spawn cross-session.
+func (m *sessionManager) maybeSpawnAgent(sid uint32) bool {
+	if m.agentProc != 0 || sid == 0xFFFFFFFF || !time.Now().After(m.nextSpawnAt) {
+		return true
+	}
+
+	if err := ensureAgentSocketDir(); err != nil {
+		log.Warnf("prepare agent socket dir: %v", err)
+		m.nextSpawnAt = time.Now().Add(5 * time.Second)
+		return true
+	}
+
+	// The leaf name carries a cryptographically random component so a local
+	// user cannot pre-create the path at a guessable location. The session
+	// id is kept for diagnostics only; security does not rely on it.
+	socketPath, err := newAgentSocketPath(sid)
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Warnf("generate agent socket path: %v", err)
+		return true
+	}
+	// Covers a previous-run crash that escaped Job Object kill-on-close.
+	if err := os.Remove(socketPath); err != nil && !os.IsNotExist(err) {
+		log.Debugf("clear stale agent socket %s: %v", socketPath, err)
+	}
+	token, err := generateAuthToken()
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Warnf("generate agent auth token: %v", err)
+		return true
+	}
+	h, err := spawnAgentInSession(sid, socketPath, token, m.jobHandle)
+	if err != nil {
+		if errors.Is(err, windows.ERROR_PRIVILEGE_NOT_HELD) {
+			// SE_TCB_NAME (token-impersonation across sessions) is only
+			// granted to SYSTEM. Without it spawnAgent will fail every 2
+			// seconds forever: log once and give up.
+			log.Warnf("VNC service mode disabled: agent spawn requires SYSTEM privileges (got: %v)", err)
+			return false
+		}
+		log.Warnf("spawn agent in session %d: %v", sid, err)
+		return true
+	}
+
+	// Gate on listen-readiness before publishing the path: do not hand a
+	// caller a socket the agent has not bound yet. On timeout, fail closed
+	// by killing the agent and leaving socketPath/authToken unset so
+	// Resolve keeps returning errAgentNotReady.
+	if err := waitForAgentListening(socketPath, agentReadyTimeout); err != nil {
+		log.Warnf("agent in session %d did not start listening: %v", sid, err)
+		_ = windows.TerminateProcess(h, 1)
+		_ = windows.CloseHandle(h)
+		if rmErr := os.Remove(socketPath); rmErr != nil && !os.IsNotExist(rmErr) {
+			log.Debugf("clear unready agent socket %s: %v", socketPath, rmErr)
+		}
+		m.scheduleNextSpawn(0, 0)
+		return true
+	}
+
+	m.authToken = token
+	m.socketPath = socketPath
+	m.agentProc = h
+	m.agentStartedAt = time.Now()
+	m.everSpawned = true
+	return true
+}
+
+// ensureAgentSocketDir creates the dedicated socket directory with a
+// restrictive DACL (SYSTEM + Administrators only). A pre-existing directory
+// is torn down and recreated rather than reused: it may have been created by
+// an unprivileged user with a permissive ACL, and it only ever holds our
+// transient sockets, so removing it loses nothing. Fails closed: returns an
+// error if the directory cannot be created with the intended security.
+func ensureAgentSocketDir() error {
+	sd, err := windows.SecurityDescriptorFromString(agentSocketDirSDDL)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("parse socket dir SDDL: %w", err)
+	}
+	var sa windows.SecurityAttributes
+	sa.Length = uint32(unsafe.Sizeof(sa))
+	sa.SecurityDescriptor = sd
+
+	dirW, err := windows.UTF16PtrFromString(agentSocketDir)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("encode socket dir path: %w", err)
+	}
+	err = windows.CreateDirectory(dirW, &sa)
+	if errors.Is(err, windows.ERROR_ALREADY_EXISTS) {
+		if rmErr := os.RemoveAll(agentSocketDir); rmErr != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("remove pre-existing socket dir %s: %w", agentSocketDir, rmErr)
+		}
+		err = windows.CreateDirectory(dirW, &sa)
+	}
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("create socket dir %s: %w", agentSocketDir, err)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// newAgentSocketPath returns a per-spawn socket path inside the secured
+// socket directory. The leaf name mixes a cryptographically random component
+// with the session id (for diagnostics) so the path is unguessable before the
+// agent binds it.
+func newAgentSocketPath(sessionID uint32) (string, error) {
+	b := make([]byte, agentSocketRandomLen)
+	if _, err := crand.Read(b); err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("read random: %w", err)
+	}
+	name := fmt.Sprintf("netbird-vnc-%d-%s.sock", sessionID, hex.EncodeToString(b))
+	return filepath.Join(agentSocketDir, name), nil
+}
+
+// waitForAgentListening dials the agent's Unix socket until it answers or the
+// timeout elapses. Mirrors the darwin readiness gate so the daemon never
+// exposes a socket path before the legitimate agent owns it.
+func waitForAgentListening(socketPath string, wait time.Duration) error {
+	var d net.Dialer
+	deadline := time.Now().Add(wait)
+	var lastErr error
+	for time.Now().Before(deadline) {
+		c, err := d.Dial("unix", socketPath)
+		if err == nil {
+			_ = c.Close()
+			return nil
+		}
+		lastErr = err
+		time.Sleep(100 * time.Millisecond)
+	}
+	if lastErr == nil {
+		lastErr = fmt.Errorf("timeout")
+	}
+	return fmt.Errorf("dial %s: %w", socketPath, lastErr)
+}
+
+func (m *sessionManager) killAgent() {
+	if m.agentProc == 0 {
+		return
+	}
+	_ = windows.TerminateProcess(m.agentProc, 0)
+	_ = windows.CloseHandle(m.agentProc)
+	m.agentProc = 0
+	m.authToken = ""
+	m.socketPath = ""
+	log.Info("killed old agent")
+}
+
+// relogAgentOutput reads log lines from the agent's stderr pipe and
+// relogs them with the service's formatter. The *os.File owns the
+// underlying handle, so closing it suffices.
+func relogAgentOutput(pipe windows.Handle) {
+	f := os.NewFile(uintptr(pipe), "vnc-agent-stderr")
+	defer func() { _ = f.Close() }()
+	relogAgentStream(f)
+}
+
+// logCleanupCall invokes a Windows syscall used solely as a cleanup primitive
+// (CloseClipboard, ReleaseDC, etc.) and logs failures at trace level. The
+// indirection lets us satisfy errcheck without scattering ignored returns at
+// each call site, while still capturing diagnostic info when the OS reports
+// a failure.
+func logCleanupCall(name string, proc *windows.LazyProc) {
+	r, _, err := proc.Call()
+	if r == 0 && err != nil && err != windows.NTE_OP_OK {
+		log.Tracef("%s: %v", name, err)
+	}
+}
+
+// logCleanupCallArgs is logCleanupCall with one argument; common pattern for
+// release-by-handle syscalls.
+func logCleanupCallArgs(name string, proc *windows.LazyProc, args ...uintptr) {
+	r, _, err := proc.Call(args...)
+	if r == 0 && err != nil && err != windows.NTE_OP_OK {
+		log.Tracef("%s: %v", name, err)
+	}
+}

client/vnc/server/capture_darwin.go

@@ -0,0 +1,631 @@
+//go:build darwin && !ios
+
+package server
+
+import (
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"hash/maphash"
+	"image"
+	"os"
+	"runtime"
+	"strconv"
+	"sync"
+	"sync/atomic"
+	"time"
+	"unsafe"
+
+	"github.com/ebitengine/purego"
+	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
+)
+
+var darwinCaptureOnce sync.Once
+
+var (
+	cgMainDisplayID              func() uint32
+	cgDisplayPixelsWide          func(uint32) uintptr
+	cgDisplayPixelsHigh          func(uint32) uintptr
+	cgDisplayCreateImage         func(uint32) uintptr
+	cgImageGetWidth              func(uintptr) uintptr
+	cgImageGetHeight             func(uintptr) uintptr
+	cgImageGetBytesPerRow        func(uintptr) uintptr
+	cgImageGetBitsPerPixel       func(uintptr) uintptr
+	cgImageGetDataProvider       func(uintptr) uintptr
+	cgDataProviderCopyData       func(uintptr) uintptr
+	cgImageRelease               func(uintptr)
+	cfDataGetLength              func(uintptr) int64
+	cfDataGetBytePtr             func(uintptr) uintptr
+	cfRelease                    func(uintptr)
+	cgRequestScreenCaptureAccess func() bool
+	cgEventCreate                func(uintptr) uintptr
+	cgEventGetLocation           func(uintptr) cgPoint
+	darwinCaptureReady           bool
+)
+
+// cgPoint mirrors CoreGraphics CGPoint: two doubles, 16 bytes, returned
+// in registers on Darwin amd64/arm64. Used to receive cursor coordinates
+// from CGEventGetLocation via purego.
+type cgPoint struct {
+	X, Y float64
+}
+
+func initDarwinCapture() {
+	darwinCaptureOnce.Do(func() {
+		cg, err := purego.Dlopen("/System/Library/Frameworks/CoreGraphics.framework/CoreGraphics", purego.RTLD_NOW|purego.RTLD_GLOBAL)
+		if err != nil {
+			log.Debugf("load CoreGraphics: %v", err)
+			return
+		}
+		cf, err := purego.Dlopen("/System/Library/Frameworks/CoreFoundation.framework/CoreFoundation", purego.RTLD_NOW|purego.RTLD_GLOBAL)
+		if err != nil {
+			log.Debugf("load CoreFoundation: %v", err)
+			return
+		}
+
+		purego.RegisterLibFunc(&cgMainDisplayID, cg, "CGMainDisplayID")
+		purego.RegisterLibFunc(&cgDisplayPixelsWide, cg, "CGDisplayPixelsWide")
+		purego.RegisterLibFunc(&cgDisplayPixelsHigh, cg, "CGDisplayPixelsHigh")
+		purego.RegisterLibFunc(&cgDisplayCreateImage, cg, "CGDisplayCreateImage")
+		purego.RegisterLibFunc(&cgImageGetWidth, cg, "CGImageGetWidth")
+		purego.RegisterLibFunc(&cgImageGetHeight, cg, "CGImageGetHeight")
+		purego.RegisterLibFunc(&cgImageGetBytesPerRow, cg, "CGImageGetBytesPerRow")
+		purego.RegisterLibFunc(&cgImageGetBitsPerPixel, cg, "CGImageGetBitsPerPixel")
+		purego.RegisterLibFunc(&cgImageGetDataProvider, cg, "CGImageGetDataProvider")
+		purego.RegisterLibFunc(&cgDataProviderCopyData, cg, "CGDataProviderCopyData")
+		purego.RegisterLibFunc(&cgImageRelease, cg, "CGImageRelease")
+		purego.RegisterLibFunc(&cfDataGetLength, cf, "CFDataGetLength")
+		purego.RegisterLibFunc(&cfDataGetBytePtr, cf, "CFDataGetBytePtr")
+		purego.RegisterLibFunc(&cfRelease, cf, "CFRelease")
+
+		// CGRequestScreenCaptureAccess (macOS 11+) prompts on first call and
+		// is a cheap no-op once granted. The Preflight companion is unreliable
+		// on Sequoia (returns false even when access is granted), so we drive
+		// the permission flow from actual capture failures instead.
+		if sym, err := purego.Dlsym(cg, "CGRequestScreenCaptureAccess"); err == nil {
+			purego.RegisterFunc(&cgRequestScreenCaptureAccess, sym)
+		}
+		// CGEventCreate / CGEventGetLocation feed the cursor position used
+		// by remote-cursor compositing. Optional; absence reports as a
+		// position-source error and disables that feature on this host.
+		if sym, err := purego.Dlsym(cg, "CGEventCreate"); err == nil {
+			purego.RegisterFunc(&cgEventCreate, sym)
+		}
+		if sym, err := purego.Dlsym(cg, "CGEventGetLocation"); err == nil {
+			purego.RegisterFunc(&cgEventGetLocation, sym)
+		}
+
+		darwinCaptureReady = true
+	})
+}
+
+// CGCapturer captures the macOS main display using Core Graphics.
+type CGCapturer struct {
+	displayID uint32
+	w, h      int
+	// downscale is 1 for pixel-perfect, 2 for Retina 2:1 box-filter downscale.
+	downscale int
+	hashSeed  maphash.Seed
+	lastHash  uint64
+	hasHash   bool
+	// cursor lazily binds the private CGSCreateCurrentCursorImage symbol
+	// so we can emit the Cursor pseudo-encoding without a per-frame cost
+	// on builds that never query it.
+	cursorOnce sync.Once
+	cursor     *cgCursor
+}
+
+// PrimeScreenCapturePermission triggers the macOS Screen Recording
+// permission prompt without creating a full capturer. The platform wiring
+// calls this at VNC-server enable time so the user sees the prompt the
+// moment they turn the feature on. CGRequestScreenCaptureAccess is a
+// no-op when the grant already exists, so calling it on every enable is
+// cheap and safe.
+func PrimeScreenCapturePermission() {
+	initDarwinCapture()
+	if !darwinCaptureReady {
+		return
+	}
+	if cgRequestScreenCaptureAccess != nil {
+		cgRequestScreenCaptureAccess()
+	}
+}
+
+// notifyScreenRecordingMissing nudges the user once per agent process to
+// approve Screen Recording. The capturer init retries on backoff when the
+// grant is missing; without the sync.Once we would reopen System Settings
+// every tick and flood the daemon log with the same warning.
+var screenRecordingNotifyOnce sync.Once
+
+func notifyScreenRecordingMissing() {
+	screenRecordingNotifyOnce.Do(func() {
+		if cgRequestScreenCaptureAccess != nil {
+			cgRequestScreenCaptureAccess()
+		}
+		openPrivacyPane("Privacy_ScreenCapture")
+		log.Warn("Screen Recording permission not granted. " +
+			"Opened System Settings > Privacy & Security > Screen Recording; enable netbird and restart.")
+	})
+}
+
+// NewCGCapturer creates a screen capturer for the main display.
+func NewCGCapturer() (*CGCapturer, error) {
+	initDarwinCapture()
+	if !darwinCaptureReady {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("CoreGraphics not available")
+	}
+
+	displayID := cgMainDisplayID()
+	c := &CGCapturer{displayID: displayID, downscale: 1, hashSeed: maphash.MakeSeed()}
+
+	img, err := c.Capture()
+	if err != nil {
+		notifyScreenRecordingMissing()
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("probe capture: %w", err)
+	}
+	nativeW := img.Rect.Dx()
+	nativeH := img.Rect.Dy()
+	c.hasHash = false
+	if nativeW == 0 || nativeH == 0 {
+		return nil, errors.New("display dimensions are zero")
+	}
+
+	logicalW := int(cgDisplayPixelsWide(displayID))
+	logicalH := int(cgDisplayPixelsHigh(displayID))
+
+	// Enable 2:1 downscale on Retina unless explicitly disabled. Cuts pixel
+	// count 4x, shrinking convert, diff, and wire data proportionally.
+	if !retinaDownscaleDisabled() && nativeW >= 2*logicalW && nativeH >= 2*logicalH && nativeW%2 == 0 && nativeH%2 == 0 {
+		c.downscale = 2
+	}
+	c.w = nativeW / c.downscale
+	c.h = nativeH / c.downscale
+
+	log.Infof("macOS capturer ready: %dx%d (native %dx%d, logical %dx%d, downscale=%d, display=%d)",
+		c.w, c.h, nativeW, nativeH, logicalW, logicalH, c.downscale, displayID)
+	return c, nil
+}
+
+func retinaDownscaleDisabled() bool {
+	v := os.Getenv(EnvVNCDisableDownscale)
+	if v == "" {
+		return false
+	}
+	disabled, err := strconv.ParseBool(v)
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Warnf("parse %s: %v", EnvVNCDisableDownscale, err)
+		return false
+	}
+	return disabled
+}
+
+// Width returns the screen width.
+func (c *CGCapturer) Width() int { return c.w }
+
+// Height returns the screen height.
+func (c *CGCapturer) Height() int { return c.h }
+
+// CaptureInto writes a fresh frame directly into dst, skipping the
+// per-frame image.RGBA allocation that Capture() does. It always fills
+// dst: the capturer is shared across all sessions, so dedup here would
+// starve every consumer but the first one to poll after a change.
+// Per-session prevFrame diffing in the session layer handles no-op frames.
+func (c *CGCapturer) CaptureInto(dst *image.RGBA) error {
+	cgImage := cgDisplayCreateImage(c.displayID)
+	if cgImage == 0 {
+		return fmt.Errorf("CGDisplayCreateImage returned nil (screen recording permission?)")
+	}
+	defer cgImageRelease(cgImage)
+	w := int(cgImageGetWidth(cgImage))
+	h := int(cgImageGetHeight(cgImage))
+	bytesPerRow := int(cgImageGetBytesPerRow(cgImage))
+	bpp := int(cgImageGetBitsPerPixel(cgImage))
+	provider := cgImageGetDataProvider(cgImage)
+	if provider == 0 {
+		return fmt.Errorf("CGImageGetDataProvider returned nil")
+	}
+	cfData := cgDataProviderCopyData(provider)
+	if cfData == 0 {
+		return fmt.Errorf("CGDataProviderCopyData returned nil")
+	}
+	defer cfRelease(cfData)
+	dataLen := int(cfDataGetLength(cfData))
+	dataPtr := cfDataGetBytePtr(cfData)
+	if dataPtr == 0 || dataLen == 0 {
+		return fmt.Errorf("empty image data")
+	}
+	src := unsafe.Slice((*byte)(unsafe.Pointer(dataPtr)), dataLen)
+
+	ds := c.downscale
+	if ds < 1 {
+		ds = 1
+	}
+	outW := w / ds
+	outH := h / ds
+	if dst.Rect.Dx() != outW || dst.Rect.Dy() != outH {
+		return fmt.Errorf("dst size mismatch: dst=%dx%d capturer=%dx%d",
+			dst.Rect.Dx(), dst.Rect.Dy(), outW, outH)
+	}
+	bytesPerPixel := bpp / 8
+	if bytesPerPixel == 4 && ds == 1 {
+		convertBGRAToRGBA(dst.Pix, dst.Stride, src, bytesPerRow, w, h)
+		return nil
+	}
+	if bytesPerPixel == 4 && ds == 2 {
+		convertBGRAToRGBADownscale2(dst.Pix, dst.Stride, src, bytesPerRow, outW, outH)
+		return nil
+	}
+	for row := 0; row < outH; row++ {
+		srcOff := row * ds * bytesPerRow
+		dstOff := row * dst.Stride
+		for col := 0; col < outW; col++ {
+			si := srcOff + col*ds*bytesPerPixel
+			di := dstOff + col*4
+			dst.Pix[di+0] = src[si+2]
+			dst.Pix[di+1] = src[si+1]
+			dst.Pix[di+2] = src[si+0]
+			dst.Pix[di+3] = 0xff
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (c *CGCapturer) Capture() (*image.RGBA, error) {
+	cgImage := cgDisplayCreateImage(c.displayID)
+	if cgImage == 0 {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("CGDisplayCreateImage returned nil (screen recording permission?)")
+	}
+	defer cgImageRelease(cgImage)
+
+	w := int(cgImageGetWidth(cgImage))
+	h := int(cgImageGetHeight(cgImage))
+	bytesPerRow := int(cgImageGetBytesPerRow(cgImage))
+	bpp := int(cgImageGetBitsPerPixel(cgImage))
+
+	provider := cgImageGetDataProvider(cgImage)
+	if provider == 0 {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("CGImageGetDataProvider returned nil")
+	}
+
+	cfData := cgDataProviderCopyData(provider)
+	if cfData == 0 {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("CGDataProviderCopyData returned nil")
+	}
+	defer cfRelease(cfData)
+
+	dataLen := int(cfDataGetLength(cfData))
+	dataPtr := cfDataGetBytePtr(cfData)
+	if dataPtr == 0 || dataLen == 0 {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("empty image data")
+	}
+
+	src := unsafe.Slice((*byte)(unsafe.Pointer(dataPtr)), dataLen)
+
+	hash := maphash.Bytes(c.hashSeed, src)
+	if c.hasHash && hash == c.lastHash {
+		return nil, errFrameUnchanged
+	}
+	c.lastHash = hash
+	c.hasHash = true
+
+	ds := c.downscale
+	if ds < 1 {
+		ds = 1
+	}
+	outW := w / ds
+	outH := h / ds
+	img := image.NewRGBA(image.Rect(0, 0, outW, outH))
+
+	bytesPerPixel := bpp / 8
+	switch {
+	case bytesPerPixel == 4 && ds == 1:
+		convertBGRAToRGBA(img.Pix, img.Stride, src, bytesPerRow, w, h)
+	case bytesPerPixel == 4 && ds == 2:
+		convertBGRAToRGBADownscale2(img.Pix, img.Stride, src, bytesPerRow, outW, outH)
+	default:
+		convertBGRAToRGBAGeneric(img.Pix, img.Stride, src, bytesPerRow, bgraDownscaleParams{outW: outW, outH: outH, bytesPerPixel: bytesPerPixel, ds: ds})
+	}
+
+	return img, nil
+}
+
+type bgraDownscaleParams struct {
+	outW, outH, bytesPerPixel, ds int
+}
+
+// convertBGRAToRGBAGeneric is the slow per-pixel fallback for non-4-bytes
+// or non-1/2 downscale formats. Always available regardless of the source
+// format quirks the fast paths optimize for.
+func convertBGRAToRGBAGeneric(dst []byte, dstStride int, src []byte, srcStride int, p bgraDownscaleParams) {
+	for row := 0; row < p.outH; row++ {
+		srcOff := row * p.ds * srcStride
+		dstOff := row * dstStride
+		for col := 0; col < p.outW; col++ {
+			si := srcOff + col*p.ds*p.bytesPerPixel
+			di := dstOff + col*4
+			dst[di+0] = src[si+2]
+			dst[di+1] = src[si+1]
+			dst[di+2] = src[si+0]
+			dst[di+3] = 0xff
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// convertBGRAToRGBADownscale2 averages every 2x2 BGRA block into one RGBA
+// output pixel, parallelised across GOMAXPROCS cores. outW and outH are the
+// destination dimensions (source is 2*outW by 2*outH).
+func convertBGRAToRGBADownscale2(dst []byte, dstStride int, src []byte, srcStride, outW, outH int) {
+	workers := runtime.GOMAXPROCS(0)
+	if workers > outH {
+		workers = outH
+	}
+	if workers < 1 || outH < 32 {
+		workers = 1
+	}
+
+	convertRows := func(y0, y1 int) {
+		for row := y0; row < y1; row++ {
+			srcRow0 := 2 * row * srcStride
+			srcRow1 := srcRow0 + srcStride
+			dstOff := row * dstStride
+			for col := 0; col < outW; col++ {
+				s0 := srcRow0 + col*8
+				s1 := srcRow1 + col*8
+				b := (uint32(src[s0]) + uint32(src[s0+4]) + uint32(src[s1]) + uint32(src[s1+4])) >> 2
+				g := (uint32(src[s0+1]) + uint32(src[s0+5]) + uint32(src[s1+1]) + uint32(src[s1+5])) >> 2
+				r := (uint32(src[s0+2]) + uint32(src[s0+6]) + uint32(src[s1+2]) + uint32(src[s1+6])) >> 2
+				di := dstOff + col*4
+				dst[di+0] = byte(r)
+				dst[di+1] = byte(g)
+				dst[di+2] = byte(b)
+				dst[di+3] = 0xff
+			}
+		}
+	}
+
+	if workers == 1 {
+		convertRows(0, outH)
+		return
+	}
+
+	var wg sync.WaitGroup
+	chunk := (outH + workers - 1) / workers
+	for i := 0; i < workers; i++ {
+		y0 := i * chunk
+		y1 := y0 + chunk
+		if y1 > outH {
+			y1 = outH
+		}
+		if y0 >= y1 {
+			break
+		}
+		wg.Add(1)
+		go func(y0, y1 int) {
+			defer wg.Done()
+			convertRows(y0, y1)
+		}(y0, y1)
+	}
+	wg.Wait()
+}
+
+// convertBGRAToRGBA swaps R/B channels using uint32 word operations, and
+// parallelises across GOMAXPROCS cores for large images.
+func convertBGRAToRGBA(dst []byte, dstStride int, src []byte, srcStride, w, h int) {
+	workers := runtime.GOMAXPROCS(0)
+	if workers > h {
+		workers = h
+	}
+	if workers < 1 || h < 64 {
+		workers = 1
+	}
+
+	convertRows := func(y0, y1 int) {
+		rowBytes := w * 4
+		for row := y0; row < y1; row++ {
+			dstRow := dst[row*dstStride : row*dstStride+rowBytes]
+			srcRow := src[row*srcStride : row*srcStride+rowBytes]
+			dstU := unsafe.Slice((*uint32)(unsafe.Pointer(&dstRow[0])), w)
+			srcU := unsafe.Slice((*uint32)(unsafe.Pointer(&srcRow[0])), w)
+			for i, p := range srcU {
+				dstU[i] = (p & 0xff00ff00) | ((p & 0x000000ff) << 16) | ((p & 0x00ff0000) >> 16) | 0xff000000
+			}
+		}
+	}
+
+	if workers == 1 {
+		convertRows(0, h)
+		return
+	}
+
+	var wg sync.WaitGroup
+	chunk := (h + workers - 1) / workers
+	for i := 0; i < workers; i++ {
+		y0 := i * chunk
+		y1 := y0 + chunk
+		if y1 > h {
+			y1 = h
+		}
+		if y0 >= y1 {
+			break
+		}
+		wg.Add(1)
+		go func(y0, y1 int) {
+			defer wg.Done()
+			convertRows(y0, y1)
+		}(y0, y1)
+	}
+	wg.Wait()
+}
+
+// MacPoller wraps CGCapturer with a staleness-cached on-demand Capture:
+// sessions drive captures themselves from their encoder goroutine, so we
+// don't need a background ticker. The last result is cached for a short
+// window so concurrent sessions coalesce into one capture.
+//
+// The capturer is allocated lazily on first use and released when all
+// clients disconnect. Init is retried with backoff because the user may
+// grant Screen Recording permission while the server is already running.
+type MacPoller struct {
+	mu sync.Mutex
+
+	capturer *CGCapturer
+	w, h     int
+
+	lastFrame *image.RGBA
+	lastAt    time.Time
+
+	clients          atomic.Int32
+	initFails        int
+	initBackoffUntil time.Time
+	closed           bool
+}
+
+// macInitRetryBackoffFor returns the delay we wait between init attempts
+// after consecutive failures. Screen Recording permission is a one-shot
+// user grant, so after several failures we back off aggressively.
+func macInitRetryBackoffFor(fails int) time.Duration {
+	switch {
+	case fails > 15:
+		return 30 * time.Second
+	case fails > 5:
+		return 10 * time.Second
+	default:
+		return 2 * time.Second
+	}
+}
+
+// NewMacPoller creates a lazy on-demand capturer for the macOS display.
+func NewMacPoller() *MacPoller {
+	return &MacPoller{}
+}
+
+// Wake is a no-op retained for API compatibility. With on-demand capture
+// there is no background retry loop to kick: init happens on the next
+// Capture/ClientConnect call.
+func (p *MacPoller) Wake() {
+	// intentional no-op
+}
+
+// ClientConnect increments the active client count and eagerly initialises
+// the capturer so the first FBUpdateRequest doesn't pay the init cost.
+func (p *MacPoller) ClientConnect() {
+	if p.clients.Add(1) == 1 {
+		p.mu.Lock()
+		_ = p.ensureCapturerLocked()
+		p.mu.Unlock()
+	}
+}
+
+// ClientDisconnect decrements the active client count. On the last
+// disconnect the capturer is released.
+func (p *MacPoller) ClientDisconnect() {
+	if p.clients.Add(-1) == 0 {
+		p.mu.Lock()
+		p.capturer = nil
+		p.lastFrame = nil
+		p.mu.Unlock()
+	}
+}
+
+// Close releases all resources.
+func (p *MacPoller) Close() {
+	p.mu.Lock()
+	p.closed = true
+	p.capturer = nil
+	p.lastFrame = nil
+	p.mu.Unlock()
+}
+
+// Width returns the screen width. Triggers lazy init if needed.
+func (p *MacPoller) Width() int {
+	p.mu.Lock()
+	defer p.mu.Unlock()
+	_ = p.ensureCapturerLocked()
+	return p.w
+}
+
+// Height returns the screen height. Triggers lazy init if needed.
+func (p *MacPoller) Height() int {
+	p.mu.Lock()
+	defer p.mu.Unlock()
+	_ = p.ensureCapturerLocked()
+	return p.h
+}
+
+// CaptureInto fills dst directly via the underlying capturer, bypassing
+// the freshness cache.
+func (p *MacPoller) CaptureInto(dst *image.RGBA) error {
+	p.mu.Lock()
+	defer p.mu.Unlock()
+
+	if err := p.ensureCapturerLocked(); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	if err := p.capturer.CaptureInto(dst); err != nil {
+		p.capturer = nil
+		return fmt.Errorf("macos capture: %w", err)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// Capture returns a fresh frame, serving from the short-lived cache if a
+// previous caller captured within freshWindow. Handles the
+// errFrameUnchanged return from CGCapturer by reusing the cached frame.
+func (p *MacPoller) Capture() (*image.RGBA, error) {
+	p.mu.Lock()
+	defer p.mu.Unlock()
+
+	if p.lastFrame != nil && time.Since(p.lastAt) < freshWindow {
+		return p.lastFrame, nil
+	}
+	if err := p.ensureCapturerLocked(); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	img, err := p.capturer.Capture()
+	if errors.Is(err, errFrameUnchanged) {
+		if p.lastFrame != nil {
+			p.lastAt = time.Now()
+			return p.lastFrame, nil
+		}
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	if err != nil {
+		// Drop the capturer so the next call retries init; the display stream
+		// can die if the session changes or permissions are revoked.
+		p.capturer = nil
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("macos capture: %w", err)
+	}
+	p.lastFrame = img
+	p.lastAt = time.Now()
+	return img, nil
+}
+
+// ensureCapturerLocked initialises the underlying CGCapturer if needed.
+// Caller must hold p.mu.
+func (p *MacPoller) ensureCapturerLocked() error {
+	if p.closed {
+		return fmt.Errorf("poller closed")
+	}
+	if p.capturer != nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	if time.Now().Before(p.initBackoffUntil) {
+		return fmt.Errorf("macOS capturer unavailable (retry scheduled)")
+	}
+	c, err := NewCGCapturer()
+	if err != nil {
+		p.initFails++
+		p.initBackoffUntil = time.Now().Add(macInitRetryBackoffFor(p.initFails))
+		if p.initFails == 1 || p.initFails%10 == 0 {
+			log.Warnf("macOS capturer: %v (attempt %d)", err, p.initFails)
+		} else {
+			log.Debugf("macOS capturer: %v (attempt %d)", err, p.initFails)
+		}
+		return err
+	}
+	p.initFails = 0
+	p.capturer = c
+	p.w, p.h = c.Width(), c.Height()
+	return nil
+}
+
+var _ ScreenCapturer = (*MacPoller)(nil)

client/vnc/server/capture_dxgi_windows.go

@@ -0,0 +1,99 @@
+//go:build windows
+
+package server
+
+import (
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"image"
+
+	"github.com/kirides/go-d3d/d3d11"
+	"github.com/kirides/go-d3d/outputduplication"
+)
+
+// dxgiCapturer captures the desktop using DXGI Desktop Duplication.
+// Provides GPU-accelerated capture with native dirty rect tracking.
+// Only works from the interactive user session, not Session 0.
+//
+// Uses a double-buffer: DXGI writes into img, then we copy to the current
+// output buffer and hand it out. Alternating between two output buffers
+// avoids allocating a new image.RGBA per frame (~8MB at 1080p, 30fps).
+type dxgiCapturer struct {
+	dup    *outputduplication.OutputDuplicator
+	device *d3d11.ID3D11Device
+	ctx    *d3d11.ID3D11DeviceContext
+	img    *image.RGBA
+	out    [2]*image.RGBA
+	outIdx int
+	width  int
+	height int
+}
+
+func newDXGICapturer() (*dxgiCapturer, error) {
+	device, deviceCtx, err := d3d11.NewD3D11Device()
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("create D3D11 device: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	dup, err := outputduplication.NewIDXGIOutputDuplication(device, deviceCtx, 0)
+	if err != nil {
+		device.Release()
+		deviceCtx.Release()
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("create output duplication: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	w, h := screenSize()
+	if w == 0 || h == 0 {
+		dup.Release()
+		device.Release()
+		deviceCtx.Release()
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("screen dimensions are zero")
+	}
+
+	rect := image.Rect(0, 0, w, h)
+	c := &dxgiCapturer{
+		dup:    dup,
+		device: device,
+		ctx:    deviceCtx,
+		img:    image.NewRGBA(rect),
+		out:    [2]*image.RGBA{image.NewRGBA(rect), image.NewRGBA(rect)},
+		width:  w,
+		height: h,
+	}
+
+	// Grab the initial frame with a longer timeout to ensure we have
+	// a valid image before returning.
+	_ = dup.GetImage(c.img, 2000)
+
+	return c, nil
+}
+
+func (c *dxgiCapturer) capture() (*image.RGBA, error) {
+	err := c.dup.GetImage(c.img, 100)
+	if err != nil && !errors.Is(err, outputduplication.ErrNoImageYet) {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	// Copy into the next output buffer. The DesktopCapturer hands out the
+	// returned pointer to VNC sessions that read pixels concurrently, so we
+	// alternate between two pre-allocated buffers instead of allocating per frame.
+	out := c.out[c.outIdx]
+	c.outIdx ^= 1
+	copy(out.Pix, c.img.Pix)
+	return out, nil
+}
+
+func (c *dxgiCapturer) close() {
+	if c.dup != nil {
+		c.dup.Release()
+		c.dup = nil
+	}
+	if c.ctx != nil {
+		c.ctx.Release()
+		c.ctx = nil
+	}
+	if c.device != nil {
+		c.device.Release()
+		c.device = nil
+	}
+}