Merge remote-tracking branch 'origin/main' into feature/ios-ssh

# Conflicts:
#	client/server/server.go

.git-branches.toml

@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 [branches]
 main = "main"
 perennials = []
-perennial-regex = "^release-"
+perennial-regex = ""
 
 [create]
 new-branch-type = "feature"

.github/workflows/check-license-dependencies.yml

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ name: Check License Dependencies
 
 on:
   push:
-    branches: [main, "release-*"]
+    branches: [main]
     paths:
       - "go.mod"
       - "go.sum"

.github/workflows/frontend-ui.yml

@@ -10,7 +10,6 @@ on:
   push:
     branches:
       - main
-      - "release-*"
     paths:
       - "client/ui/frontend/**"
       - "client/ui/i18n/**"

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

@@ -4,7 +4,6 @@ on:
   push:
     branches:
       - main
-      - "release-*"
   pull_request:
 
 concurrency:

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

@@ -4,7 +4,6 @@ on:
   push:
     branches:
       - main
-      - "release-*"
   pull_request:
 
 concurrency:

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

@@ -4,7 +4,6 @@ on:
   push:
     branches:
       - main
-      - "release-*"
   pull_request:
 
 concurrency:

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

@@ -4,7 +4,6 @@ on:
   push:
     branches:
       - main
-      - "release-*"
   pull_request:
 
 env:

.github/workflows/install-script-test.yml

@@ -4,7 +4,6 @@ on:
   push:
     branches:
       - main
-      - "release-*"
   pull_request:
     paths:
       - "release_files/install.sh"

.github/workflows/mobile-build-validation.yml

@@ -4,7 +4,6 @@ on:
   push:
     branches:
       - main
-      - "release-*"
   pull_request:
 
 concurrency:

.github/workflows/release.yml

@@ -6,7 +6,6 @@ on:
       - "v*"
     branches:
       - main
-      - "release-*"
   pull_request:
 
 env:
@@ -255,23 +254,15 @@ jobs:
         id: tag_and_push_images
         if: |
           (github.event_name == 'pull_request' && github.event.pull_request.head.repo.full_name == github.repository) ||
-          (github.event_name == 'push' && (github.ref == 'refs/heads/main' || startsWith(github.ref, 'refs/heads/release-')))
+          (github.event_name == 'push' && github.ref == 'refs/heads/main')
         run: |
           set -euo pipefail
 
-          # $GITHUB_REF / $GITHUB_EVENT_NAME are read from the runner
-          # environment rather than substituted into this script with the
-          # workflow expression syntax: branch names may legally contain
-          # $(…), and interpolating github.ref would execute it.
           resolve_tags() {
-            if [[ "$GITHUB_EVENT_NAME" == "pull_request" ]]; then
+            if [[ "${{ github.event_name }}" == "pull_request" ]]; then
               echo "pr-${{ github.event.pull_request.number }}"
-            elif [[ "$GITHUB_REF" == "refs/heads/main" ]]; then
-              echo "main sha-$(git rev-parse --short HEAD)"
             else
-              # Release branches get an immutable sha-* tag only — the floating
-              # "main" tag must never move from a release branch.
-              echo "sha-$(git rev-parse --short HEAD)"
+              echo "main sha-$(git rev-parse --short HEAD)"
             fi
           }
 

.github/workflows/sync-tag.yml

@@ -9,9 +9,21 @@ concurrency:
   group: ${{ github.workflow }}-${{ github.ref }}-${{ github.head_ref || github.actor_id }}
   cancel-in-progress: true
 
-# The receiving bump-netbird workflows expect the short tag form
-# (e.g. v0.30.0), not refs/tags/v0.30.0 — github.ref_name, not github.ref.
+# Receiving workflows (cloud sync-tag, mobile bump-netbird) expect the short
+# tag form (e.g. v0.30.0), not refs/tags/v0.30.0 — github.ref_name, not github.ref.
 jobs:
+  trigger_sync_tag:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    steps:
+      - name: Trigger release tag sync
+        uses: benc-uk/workflow-dispatch@31e2b3319479a63f0ab15bf800eff9e913504e26 # v1.3.2
+        with:
+          workflow: sync-tag.yml
+          ref: main
+          repo: ${{ secrets.UPSTREAM_REPO }}
+          token: ${{ secrets.NC_GITHUB_TOKEN }}
+          inputs: '{ "tag": "${{ github.ref_name }}" }'
+
   trigger_android_bump:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     if: github.event.created && !github.event.deleted && startsWith(github.ref, 'refs/tags/v') && !contains(github.ref_name, '-')

.github/workflows/test-infrastructure-files.yml

@@ -4,7 +4,6 @@ on:
   push:
     branches:
       - main
-      - "release-*"
   pull_request:
     paths:
       - "infrastructure_files/**"

.github/workflows/wasm-build-validation.yml

@@ -4,7 +4,6 @@ on:
   push:
     branches:
       - main
-      - "release-*"
   pull_request:
 
 concurrency:

.goreleaser.yaml

@@ -468,13 +468,6 @@ checksum:
     - glob: ./infrastructure_files/migrate-to-enterprise.sh
 
 release:
-  # The signing pipeline (netbirdio/sign-pipelines, dispatched by
-  # trigger_signer) marks the release latest once the Windows and macOS
-  # artifacts are signed. Without this override goreleaser marks it latest
-  # at publish time, while those artifacts are still unsigned.
-  make_latest: false
-  # Mark x.y.z-rc.* and other prerelease tags as prereleases on GitHub.
-  prerelease: auto
   extra_files:
     - glob: ./infrastructure_files/getting-started-with-zitadel.sh
     - glob: ./release_files/install.sh

.goreleaser_ui.yaml

@@ -144,11 +144,3 @@ uploads:
     target: https://pkgs.wiretrustee.com/yum/{{ .Arch }}{{ if .Arm }}{{ .Arm }}{{ end }}
     username: dev@wiretrustee.com
     method: PUT
-
-release:
-  # Uploads into the release created by the main .goreleaser.yaml run.
-  # make_latest stays false everywhere: the signing pipeline
-  # (netbirdio/sign-pipelines) marks the release latest after the Windows
-  # and macOS artifacts are signed.
-  make_latest: false
-  prerelease: auto

.goreleaser_ui_darwin.yaml

@@ -43,11 +43,3 @@ checksum:
   name_template: "{{ .ProjectName }}_darwin_checksums.txt"
 changelog:
   disable: true
-
-release:
-  # Uploads into the release created by the main .goreleaser.yaml run.
-  # make_latest stays false everywhere: the signing pipeline
-  # (netbirdio/sign-pipelines) marks the release latest after the Windows
-  # and macOS artifacts are signed.
-  make_latest: false
-  prerelease: auto

.goreleaser_ui_gtk3.yaml

@@ -134,11 +134,3 @@ uploads:
     target: https://pkgs.wiretrustee.com/yum/{{ .Arch }}{{ if .Arm }}{{ .Arm }}{{ end }}
     username: dev@wiretrustee.com
     method: PUT
-
-release:
-  # Uploads into the release created by the main .goreleaser.yaml run.
-  # make_latest stays false everywhere: the signing pipeline
-  # (netbirdio/sign-pipelines) marks the release latest after the Windows
-  # and macOS artifacts are signed.
-  make_latest: false
-  prerelease: auto

client/firewall/iptables/acl_linux.go

@@ -42,7 +42,6 @@ type aclManager struct {
 	optionalEntries map[string][]entry
 	ipsetStore      *ipsetStore
 	v6              bool
-	ipsetSupported  bool
 
 	stateManager *statemanager.Manager
 }
@@ -61,8 +60,6 @@ func newAclManager(iptablesClient *iptables.IPTables, wgIface iFaceMapper) (*acl
 func (m *aclManager) init(stateManager *statemanager.Manager) error {
 	m.stateManager = stateManager
 
-	m.ipsetSupported = m.probeIPSetSupport()
-
 	m.seedInitialEntries()
 	m.seedInitialOptionalEntries()
 
@@ -94,12 +91,6 @@ func (m *aclManager) AddPeerFiltering(
 	if m.v6 && ipsetName != "" {
 		ipsetName += "-v6"
 	}
-	// When the kernel lacks the required ipset hash module, fall back to
-	// per-IP iptables rules (pre-0.68 behavior) so ACLs keep working instead
-	// of silently leaving the chain empty.
-	if ipsetName != "" && !m.ipsetSupported {
-		ipsetName = ""
-	}
 	proto := protoForFamily(protocol, m.v6)
 	specs := filterRuleSpecs(ip, proto, sPort, dPort, action, ipsetName)
 
@@ -507,40 +498,6 @@ func transformIPsetName(ipsetName string, sPort, dPort *firewall.Port, action fi
 	}
 }
 
-// probeIPSetSupport checks whether the kernel can create the ipset type used for
-// ACL rules. On kernels lacking the required ipset hash module, ipset creation
-// fails (e.g. "invalid argument"), which would otherwise leave the ACL chain
-// empty and silently drop all policy-permitted inbound traffic. When unsupported,
-// the manager falls back to per-IP iptables rules.
-func (m *aclManager) probeIPSetSupport() bool {
-	// Use a unique name so concurrent processes don't collide and we only ever
-	// destroy the set we created ourselves. ipset names are limited to 31 chars,
-	// so use a short random suffix.
-	probeName := "nb-probe-" + uuid.New().String()[:8]
-
-	opts := ipset.CreateOptions{
-		Replace: true,
-	}
-	if m.v6 {
-		opts.Family = ipset.FamilyIPV6
-	}
-
-	if err := ipset.Create(probeName, ipset.TypeHashNet, opts); err != nil {
-		log.Warnf("ipset is not available (failed to create probe set: %v); "+
-			"falling back to per-IP iptables ACL rules. Ensure the kernel provides "+
-			"the ipset hash:net module (ip_set_hash_net) for better performance with large rule sets", err)
-		return false
-	}
-
-	defer func() {
-		if err := ipset.Destroy(probeName); err != nil {
-			log.Debugf("destroy ipset probe set %q: %v", probeName, err)
-		}
-	}()
-
-	return true
-}
-
 func (m *aclManager) createIPSet(name string) error {
 	opts := ipset.CreateOptions{
 		Replace: true,

client/firewall/iptables/dnat_refcount_linux_test.go

@@ -1,240 +0,0 @@
-//go:build privileged
-
-package iptables
-
-import (
-	"net/netip"
-	"testing"
-
-	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
-	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
-
-	fw "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/firewall/manager"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface/wgaddr"
-)
-
-func iptRefcountIfaceV4() *iFaceMock {
-	return &iFaceMock{
-		NameFunc: func() string { return "wt-refcount" },
-		AddressFunc: func() wgaddr.Address {
-			return wgaddr.Address{
-				IP:      netip.MustParseAddr("10.20.0.1"),
-				Network: netip.MustParsePrefix("10.20.0.0/24"),
-			}
-		},
-	}
-}
-
-func iptRefcountIfaceDual() *iFaceMock {
-	return &iFaceMock{
-		NameFunc: func() string { return "wt-refcount" },
-		AddressFunc: func() wgaddr.Address {
-			return wgaddr.Address{
-				IP:      netip.MustParseAddr("10.20.0.1"),
-				Network: netip.MustParsePrefix("10.20.0.0/24"),
-				IPv6:    netip.MustParseAddr("fd00::1"),
-				IPv6Net: netip.MustParsePrefix("fd00::/64"),
-			}
-		},
-	}
-}
-
-func newIptRefcountManager(t *testing.T, dual bool) *Manager {
-	t.Helper()
-	var ifMock *iFaceMock
-	if dual {
-		ifMock = iptRefcountIfaceDual()
-	} else {
-		ifMock = iptRefcountIfaceV4()
-	}
-	m, err := Create(ifMock, iface.DefaultMTU)
-	require.NoError(t, err, "create manager")
-	require.NoError(t, m.Init(nil), "init manager")
-	t.Cleanup(func() {
-		require.NoError(t, m.Close(nil), "close manager")
-	})
-	return m
-}
-
-func iptDnatV4(port uint16) fw.ForwardRule {
-	return fw.ForwardRule{
-		Protocol:          fw.ProtocolTCP,
-		DestinationPort:   fw.Port{Values: []uint16{port}},
-		TranslatedAddress: netip.MustParseAddr("10.20.0.2"),
-		TranslatedPort:    fw.Port{Values: []uint16{80}},
-	}
-}
-
-func iptDnatV6(port uint16) fw.ForwardRule {
-	return fw.ForwardRule{
-		Protocol:          fw.ProtocolTCP,
-		DestinationPort:   fw.Port{Values: []uint16{port}},
-		TranslatedAddress: netip.MustParseAddr("fd00::2"),
-		TranslatedPort:    fw.Port{Values: []uint16{80}},
-	}
-}
-
-// TestIptablesRouting_RepeatedEnableSingleReference verifies that EnableRouting
-// (called on every network-map update) holds at most one reference per family
-// and a single DisableRouting drops both back to zero.
-func TestIptablesRouting_RepeatedEnableSingleReference(t *testing.T) {
-	m := newIptRefcountManager(t, true)
-	state := m.router.ipFwdState
-
-	require.NoError(t, m.EnableRouting(), "first enable")
-	require.NoError(t, m.EnableRouting(), "second enable")
-	require.NoError(t, m.EnableRouting(), "third enable")
-	v4, v6 := state.Counts()
-	assert.Equal(t, 1, v4, "repeated enable holds a single v4 reference")
-	assert.Equal(t, 1, v6, "repeated enable holds a single v6 reference")
-
-	require.NoError(t, m.DisableRouting(), "disable")
-	v4, v6 = state.Counts()
-	assert.Equal(t, 0, v4, "single disable releases the v4 reference")
-	assert.Equal(t, 0, v6, "single disable releases the v6 reference")
-}
-
-// TestIptablesRouting_DisableKeepsDNATReference verifies that an unpaired
-// DisableRouting does not release references held by active DNAT rules.
-func TestIptablesRouting_DisableKeepsDNATReference(t *testing.T) {
-	m := newIptRefcountManager(t, true)
-	state := m.router.ipFwdState
-
-	r1, err := m.AddDNATRule(iptDnatV6(9095))
-	require.NoError(t, err, "add v6 dnat")
-
-	require.NoError(t, m.DisableRouting(), "unpaired disable")
-	_, v6 := state.Counts()
-	assert.Equal(t, 1, v6, "DNAT-held reference survives unpaired DisableRouting")
-
-	require.NoError(t, m.DeleteDNATRule(r1), "delete v6 dnat")
-	_, v6 = state.Counts()
-	assert.Equal(t, 0, v6, "delete releases the DNAT reference")
-}
-
-// TestIptablesDNAT_RefcountBalancedV4 covers a Balanced Add/Delete pair on v4.
-func TestIptablesDNAT_RefcountBalancedV4(t *testing.T) {
-	m := newIptRefcountManager(t, false)
-	state := m.router.ipFwdState
-
-	r1, err := m.AddDNATRule(iptDnatV4(7081))
-	require.NoError(t, err, "add v4 dnat 1")
-	v4, v6 := state.Counts()
-	assert.Equal(t, 1, v4, "v4 refcount after first add")
-	assert.Equal(t, 0, v6, "v6 refcount unchanged")
-
-	r2, err := m.AddDNATRule(iptDnatV4(7082))
-	require.NoError(t, err, "add v4 dnat 2")
-	v4, v6 = state.Counts()
-	assert.Equal(t, 2, v4, "v4 refcount after second add")
-	assert.Equal(t, 0, v6, "v6 refcount unchanged")
-
-	require.NoError(t, m.DeleteDNATRule(r1))
-	v4, v6 = state.Counts()
-	assert.Equal(t, 1, v4, "v4 refcount after first delete")
-	assert.Equal(t, 0, v6, "v6 refcount unchanged")
-
-	require.NoError(t, m.DeleteDNATRule(r2))
-	v4, v6 = state.Counts()
-	assert.Equal(t, 0, v4, "v4 refcount after second delete")
-	assert.Equal(t, 0, v6, "v6 refcount unchanged")
-}
-
-// TestIptablesDNAT_RefcountBalancedV6 checks the v6 path increments v6 only and
-// decrements back to zero.
-func TestIptablesDNAT_RefcountBalancedV6(t *testing.T) {
-	m := newIptRefcountManager(t, true)
-	require.NotNil(t, m.router6, "v6 router")
-	require.Same(t, m.router.ipFwdState, m.router6.ipFwdState, "shared state")
-	state := m.router.ipFwdState
-
-	r1, err := m.AddDNATRule(iptDnatV6(9081))
-	require.NoError(t, err, "add v6 dnat 1")
-	v4, v6 := state.Counts()
-	assert.Equal(t, 0, v4)
-	assert.Equal(t, 1, v6, "v6 refcount after first add")
-
-	r2, err := m.AddDNATRule(iptDnatV6(9082))
-	require.NoError(t, err, "add v6 dnat 2")
-	v4, v6 = state.Counts()
-	assert.Equal(t, 0, v4, "v4 refcount unchanged")
-	assert.Equal(t, 2, v6, "v6 refcount after second add")
-
-	require.NoError(t, m.DeleteDNATRule(r1))
-	v4, v6 = state.Counts()
-	assert.Equal(t, 0, v4, "v4 refcount unchanged")
-	assert.Equal(t, 1, v6, "v6 refcount after first delete")
-
-	require.NoError(t, m.DeleteDNATRule(r2))
-	v4, v6 = state.Counts()
-	assert.Equal(t, 0, v4)
-	assert.Equal(t, 0, v6, "v6 refcount after second delete")
-}
-
-// TestIptablesDNAT_DuplicateAddNoLeak verifies the duplicate-rule path returns
-// without bumping the refcount.
-func TestIptablesDNAT_DuplicateAddNoLeak(t *testing.T) {
-	m := newIptRefcountManager(t, true)
-	state := m.router.ipFwdState
-
-	rule := iptDnatV4(7083)
-	r1, err := m.AddDNATRule(rule)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	v4, _ := state.Counts()
-	assert.Equal(t, 1, v4)
-
-	_, err = m.AddDNATRule(rule)
-	require.NoError(t, err, "duplicate add")
-	v4, _ = state.Counts()
-	assert.Equal(t, 1, v4, "duplicate add must not increment")
-
-	require.NoError(t, m.DeleteDNATRule(r1))
-	v4, _ = state.Counts()
-	assert.Equal(t, 0, v4, "single delete must drop to zero")
-}
-
-// TestIptablesDNAT_DeleteMissingNoUnderflow verifies Delete on an unknown rule
-// neither errors nor releases the refcount.
-func TestIptablesDNAT_DeleteMissingNoUnderflow(t *testing.T) {
-	m := newIptRefcountManager(t, true)
-	state := m.router.ipFwdState
-
-	phantom := iptDnatV4(7099)
-	require.NoError(t, m.DeleteDNATRule(&phantom), "delete missing v4")
-	v4, v6 := state.Counts()
-	assert.Equal(t, 0, v4)
-	assert.Equal(t, 0, v6)
-
-	phantom6 := iptDnatV6(9099)
-	require.NoError(t, m.DeleteDNATRule(&phantom6), "delete missing v6")
-	v4, v6 = state.Counts()
-	assert.Equal(t, 0, v4)
-	assert.Equal(t, 0, v6)
-
-	r1, err := m.AddDNATRule(iptDnatV4(7100))
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	v4, _ = state.Counts()
-	assert.Equal(t, 1, v4, "real add still increments after phantom delete")
-	require.NoError(t, m.DeleteDNATRule(r1))
-}
-
-// TestIptablesDNAT_DoubleDeleteNoUnderflow verifies a second Delete on the same
-// rule is a no-op.
-func TestIptablesDNAT_DoubleDeleteNoUnderflow(t *testing.T) {
-	m := newIptRefcountManager(t, true)
-	state := m.router.ipFwdState
-
-	r1, err := m.AddDNATRule(iptDnatV6(9083))
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	_, v6 := state.Counts()
-	assert.Equal(t, 1, v6)
-
-	require.NoError(t, m.DeleteDNATRule(r1), "first delete")
-	_, v6 = state.Counts()
-	assert.Equal(t, 0, v6)
-
-	require.NoError(t, m.DeleteDNATRule(r1), "second delete must be no-op")
-	_, v6 = state.Counts()
-	assert.Equal(t, 0, v6, "double delete must not underflow")
-}

client/firewall/iptables/manager_linux.go

@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ func (m *Manager) createIPv6Components(wgIface iFaceMapper, mtu uint16) error {
 	}
 
 	// Share the same IP forwarding state with the v4 router, since
-	// Forwarding refcounter is per-family but shared between v4 and v6 routers.
+	// EnableIPForwarding controls both v4 and v6 sysctls.
 	m.router6.ipFwdState = m.router.ipFwdState
 
 	m.aclMgr6, err = newAclManager(ip6Client, wgIface)
@@ -402,12 +402,17 @@ func (m *Manager) SetLogLevel(log.Level) {
 }
 
 func (m *Manager) EnableRouting() error {
-	// v6 only when the overlay actually has v6.
-	return m.router.ipFwdState.RequestRouting(m.router6 != nil)
+	if err := m.router.ipFwdState.RequestForwarding(); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("enable IP forwarding: %w", err)
+	}
+	return nil
 }
 
 func (m *Manager) DisableRouting() error {
-	return m.router.ipFwdState.ReleaseRouting()
+	if err := m.router.ipFwdState.ReleaseForwarding(); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("disable IP forwarding: %w", err)
+	}
+	return nil
 }
 
 // AddDNATRule adds a DNAT rule

client/firewall/iptables/manager_linux_test.go

@@ -291,40 +291,3 @@ func TestIptablesCreatePerformance(t *testing.T) {
 		})
 	}
 }
-
-// TestIptablesACLIPSetFallback verifies that when the kernel lacks ipset support,
-// the ACL manager falls back to per-IP iptables rules (-s <ip>) instead of
-// silently leaving the chain empty. See discussion #6125.
-func TestIptablesACLIPSetFallback(t *testing.T) {
-	ipv4Client, err := iptables.NewWithProtocol(iptables.ProtocolIPv4)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	// Use Create()/Init() so the router-owned chains (chainRTFWDIN/OUT) are
-	// created before the ACL manager's createDefaultChains() references them.
-	manager, err := Create(ifaceMock, iface.DefaultMTU)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	require.NoError(t, manager.Init(nil))
-
-	aclMgr := manager.aclMgr
-	// Simulate a kernel without the ipset hash module.
-	aclMgr.ipsetSupported = false
-
-	defer func() {
-		require.NoError(t, manager.Close(nil))
-	}()
-
-	ip := netip.MustParseAddr("10.20.0.42")
-	port := &fw.Port{Values: []uint16{22}}
-
-	rules, err := aclMgr.AddPeerFiltering(nil, ip.AsSlice(), "tcp", nil, port, fw.ActionAccept, "nb0000001")
-	require.NoError(t, err, "AddPeerFiltering should succeed via fallback")
-	require.NotEmpty(t, rules)
-
-	rule := rules[0].(*Rule)
-	require.Empty(t, rule.ipsetName, "fallback rule must not reference an ipset")
-	require.Contains(t, strings.Join(rule.specs, " "), "-s 10.20.0.42", "fallback rule must match by source IP")
-	require.NotContains(t, strings.Join(rule.specs, " "), "--match-set", "fallback rule must not use ipset matching")
-
-	// The rule must actually be present in the ACL chain (not silently dropped).
-	checkRuleSpecs(t, ipv4Client, rule.chain, true, rule.specs...)
-}

client/firewall/iptables/router_linux.go

@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ func newRouter(iptablesClient *iptables.IPTables, wgIface iFaceMapper, mtu uint1
 		wgIface:        wgIface,
 		mtu:            mtu,
 		v6:             iptablesClient.Proto() == iptables.ProtocolIPv6,
-		ipFwdState:     ipfwdstate.NewIPForwardingState(wgIface.Name()),
+		ipFwdState:     ipfwdstate.NewIPForwardingState(),
 	}
 
 	r.ipsetCounter = refcounter.New(
@@ -770,6 +770,10 @@ func (r *router) updateState() {
 }
 
 func (r *router) AddDNATRule(rule firewall.ForwardRule) (firewall.Rule, error) {
+	if err := r.ipFwdState.RequestForwarding(); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
 	ruleKey := rule.ID()
 	if _, exists := r.rules[ruleKey+dnatSuffix]; exists {
 		return rule, nil
@@ -836,34 +840,18 @@ func (r *router) AddDNATRule(rule firewall.ForwardRule) (firewall.Rule, error) {
 
 	for key, ruleInfo := range rules {
 		if err := r.iptablesClient.Append(ruleInfo.table, ruleInfo.chain, ruleInfo.rule...); err != nil {
-			r.cleanupFailedDNATAdd(rules)
+			if rollbackErr := r.rollbackRules(rules); rollbackErr != nil {
+				log.Errorf("rollback failed: %v", rollbackErr)
+			}
 			return nil, fmt.Errorf("add rule %s: %w", key, err)
 		}
 		r.rules[key] = ruleInfo.rule
 	}
 
-	if err := r.ipFwdState.RequestForwarding(r.v6); err != nil {
-		r.cleanupFailedDNATAdd(rules)
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("enable forwarding: %w", err)
-	}
-
 	r.updateState()
 	return rule, nil
 }
 
-// cleanupFailedDNATAdd removes the bookkeeping written by a partially applied
-// AddDNATRule before rolling back the kernel rules, so no entries remain that
-// never got a forwarding refcount. rollbackRules re-adds entries it failed to
-// remove from the kernel.
-func (r *router) cleanupFailedDNATAdd(rules map[string]ruleInfo) {
-	for key := range rules {
-		delete(r.rules, key)
-	}
-	if err := r.rollbackRules(rules); err != nil {
-		log.Errorf("rollback failed: %v", err)
-	}
-}
-
 func (r *router) rollbackRules(rules map[string]ruleInfo) error {
 	var merr *multierror.Error
 	for key, ruleInfo := range rules {
@@ -880,47 +868,32 @@ func (r *router) rollbackRules(rules map[string]ruleInfo) error {
 }
 
 func (r *router) DeleteDNATRule(rule firewall.Rule) error {
-	ruleKey := rule.ID()
-
-	_, hadDNAT := r.rules[ruleKey+dnatSuffix]
-	_, hadSNAT := r.rules[ruleKey+snatSuffix]
-	_, hadFWD := r.rules[ruleKey+fwdSuffix]
-	if !hadDNAT && !hadSNAT && !hadFWD {
-		return nil
+	if err := r.ipFwdState.ReleaseForwarding(); err != nil {
+		log.Errorf("%v", err)
 	}
 
+	ruleKey := rule.ID()
+
 	var merr *multierror.Error
 	if dnatRule, exists := r.rules[ruleKey+dnatSuffix]; exists {
 		if err := r.iptablesClient.Delete(tableNat, chainRTRDR, dnatRule...); err != nil {
 			merr = multierror.Append(merr, fmt.Errorf("delete DNAT rule: %w", err))
-		} else {
-			delete(r.rules, ruleKey+dnatSuffix)
 		}
+		delete(r.rules, ruleKey+dnatSuffix)
 	}
 
 	if snatRule, exists := r.rules[ruleKey+snatSuffix]; exists {
 		if err := r.iptablesClient.Delete(tableNat, chainRTNAT, snatRule...); err != nil {
 			merr = multierror.Append(merr, fmt.Errorf("delete SNAT rule: %w", err))
-		} else {
-			delete(r.rules, ruleKey+snatSuffix)
 		}
+		delete(r.rules, ruleKey+snatSuffix)
 	}
 
 	if fwdRule, exists := r.rules[ruleKey+fwdSuffix]; exists {
 		if err := r.iptablesClient.Delete(tableFilter, chainRTFWDOUT, fwdRule...); err != nil {
 			merr = multierror.Append(merr, fmt.Errorf("delete forward rule: %w", err))
-		} else {
-			delete(r.rules, ruleKey+fwdSuffix)
-		}
-	}
-
-	// Release the refcount only once all rules are gone from the kernel. On
-	// partial failure the failed entries stay in r.rules so a retry can remove
-	// them and release then.
-	if merr == nil {
-		if err := r.ipFwdState.ReleaseForwarding(r.v6); err != nil {
-			log.Errorf("%v", err)
 		}
+		delete(r.rules, ruleKey+fwdSuffix)
 	}
 
 	r.updateState()

client/firewall/nftables/dnat_refcount_linux_test.go

@@ -1,249 +0,0 @@
-//go:build privileged
-
-package nftables
-
-import (
-	"net/netip"
-	"testing"
-
-	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
-	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
-
-	fw "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/firewall/manager"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface/wgaddr"
-)
-
-func nftRefcountIfaceV4() *iFaceMock {
-	return &iFaceMock{
-		NameFunc: func() string { return "wt-refcount" },
-		AddressFunc: func() wgaddr.Address {
-			return wgaddr.Address{
-				IP:      netip.MustParseAddr("100.96.0.1"),
-				Network: netip.MustParsePrefix("100.96.0.0/16"),
-			}
-		},
-	}
-}
-
-func nftRefcountIfaceDual() *iFaceMock {
-	return &iFaceMock{
-		NameFunc: func() string { return "wt-refcount" },
-		AddressFunc: func() wgaddr.Address {
-			return wgaddr.Address{
-				IP:      netip.MustParseAddr("100.96.0.1"),
-				Network: netip.MustParsePrefix("100.96.0.0/16"),
-				IPv6:    netip.MustParseAddr("fd00::1"),
-				IPv6Net: netip.MustParsePrefix("fd00::/64"),
-			}
-		},
-	}
-}
-
-func newNftRefcountManager(t *testing.T, dual bool) *Manager {
-	t.Helper()
-	if check() != NFTABLES {
-		t.Skip("nftables not supported on this system")
-	}
-	var ifMock *iFaceMock
-	if dual {
-		ifMock = nftRefcountIfaceDual()
-	} else {
-		ifMock = nftRefcountIfaceV4()
-	}
-	m, err := Create(ifMock, iface.DefaultMTU)
-	require.NoError(t, err, "create manager")
-	require.NoError(t, m.Init(nil), "init manager")
-	t.Cleanup(func() {
-		require.NoError(t, m.Close(nil), "close manager")
-	})
-	return m
-}
-
-func dnatV4(port uint16) fw.ForwardRule {
-	return fw.ForwardRule{
-		Protocol:          fw.ProtocolTCP,
-		DestinationPort:   fw.Port{Values: []uint16{port}},
-		TranslatedAddress: netip.MustParseAddr("100.96.0.2"),
-		TranslatedPort:    fw.Port{Values: []uint16{80}},
-	}
-}
-
-func dnatV6(port uint16) fw.ForwardRule {
-	return fw.ForwardRule{
-		Protocol:          fw.ProtocolTCP,
-		DestinationPort:   fw.Port{Values: []uint16{port}},
-		TranslatedAddress: netip.MustParseAddr("fd00::2"),
-		TranslatedPort:    fw.Port{Values: []uint16{80}},
-	}
-}
-
-// TestNftablesDNAT_RefcountBalancedV4 verifies that Add/Delete pairs leave the
-// v4 refcount at zero.
-func TestNftablesDNAT_RefcountBalancedV4(t *testing.T) {
-	m := newNftRefcountManager(t, false)
-	state := m.router.ipFwdState
-
-	r1, err := m.AddDNATRule(dnatV4(8081))
-	require.NoError(t, err, "add v4 dnat 1")
-	v4, v6 := state.Counts()
-	assert.Equal(t, 1, v4, "v4 refcount after first add")
-	assert.Equal(t, 0, v6, "v6 refcount unchanged")
-
-	r2, err := m.AddDNATRule(dnatV4(8082))
-	require.NoError(t, err, "add v4 dnat 2")
-	v4, v6 = state.Counts()
-	assert.Equal(t, 2, v4, "v4 refcount after second add")
-	assert.Equal(t, 0, v6, "v6 refcount unchanged")
-
-	require.NoError(t, m.DeleteDNATRule(r1), "delete v4 dnat 1")
-	v4, v6 = state.Counts()
-	assert.Equal(t, 1, v4, "v4 refcount after first delete")
-	assert.Equal(t, 0, v6, "v6 refcount unchanged")
-
-	require.NoError(t, m.DeleteDNATRule(r2), "delete v4 dnat 2")
-	v4, v6 = state.Counts()
-	assert.Equal(t, 0, v4, "v4 refcount after second delete")
-	assert.Equal(t, 0, v6, "v6 refcount unchanged")
-}
-
-// TestNftablesDNAT_RefcountBalancedV6 verifies the v6 path increments v6 only
-// and decrements back to zero on Delete.
-func TestNftablesDNAT_RefcountBalancedV6(t *testing.T) {
-	m := newNftRefcountManager(t, true)
-	require.NotNil(t, m.router6, "v6 router")
-	require.Same(t, m.router.ipFwdState, m.router6.ipFwdState, "shared state")
-	state := m.router.ipFwdState
-
-	r1, err := m.AddDNATRule(dnatV6(9091))
-	require.NoError(t, err, "add v6 dnat 1")
-	v4, v6 := state.Counts()
-	assert.Equal(t, 0, v4, "v4 refcount unchanged")
-	assert.Equal(t, 1, v6, "v6 refcount after first add")
-
-	r2, err := m.AddDNATRule(dnatV6(9092))
-	require.NoError(t, err, "add v6 dnat 2")
-	v4, v6 = state.Counts()
-	assert.Equal(t, 0, v4)
-	assert.Equal(t, 2, v6, "v6 refcount after second add")
-
-	require.NoError(t, m.DeleteDNATRule(r1), "delete v6 dnat 1")
-	v4, v6 = state.Counts()
-	assert.Equal(t, 0, v4, "v4 refcount unchanged")
-	assert.Equal(t, 1, v6, "v6 refcount after first delete")
-
-	require.NoError(t, m.DeleteDNATRule(r2), "delete v6 dnat 2")
-	v4, v6 = state.Counts()
-	assert.Equal(t, 0, v4)
-	assert.Equal(t, 0, v6, "v6 refcount after second delete")
-}
-
-// TestNftablesDNAT_DuplicateAddNoLeak verifies that a duplicate Add (same
-// ForwardRule) does not double-increment the refcount.
-func TestNftablesDNAT_DuplicateAddNoLeak(t *testing.T) {
-	m := newNftRefcountManager(t, true)
-	state := m.router.ipFwdState
-
-	rule := dnatV4(8083)
-	r1, err := m.AddDNATRule(rule)
-	require.NoError(t, err, "add v4 dnat")
-	v4, _ := state.Counts()
-	assert.Equal(t, 1, v4)
-
-	// duplicate add: same rule ID, must be a no-op for the refcount.
-	_, err = m.AddDNATRule(rule)
-	require.NoError(t, err, "duplicate add")
-	v4, _ = state.Counts()
-	assert.Equal(t, 1, v4, "duplicate add must not increment")
-
-	require.NoError(t, m.DeleteDNATRule(r1), "delete v4 dnat")
-	v4, _ = state.Counts()
-	assert.Equal(t, 0, v4, "single delete must drop to zero")
-}
-
-// TestNftablesDNAT_DeleteMissingNoUnderflow verifies deleting a rule that was
-// never added does not underflow the refcount.
-func TestNftablesDNAT_DeleteMissingNoUnderflow(t *testing.T) {
-	m := newNftRefcountManager(t, true)
-	state := m.router.ipFwdState
-
-	// Construct a Rule reference for something never added. The router stores
-	// rules by ID(), and DeleteDNATRule looks them up in r.rules; a missing
-	// entry must be a no-op rather than calling Release.
-	phantom := dnatV4(8099)
-	require.NoError(t, m.DeleteDNATRule(&phantom), "delete missing v4 dnat")
-	v4, v6 := state.Counts()
-	assert.Equal(t, 0, v4, "v4 refcount unaffected by missing delete")
-	assert.Equal(t, 0, v6, "v6 refcount unaffected")
-
-	phantom6 := dnatV6(9099)
-	require.NoError(t, m.DeleteDNATRule(&phantom6), "delete missing v6 dnat")
-	v4, v6 = state.Counts()
-	assert.Equal(t, 0, v4)
-	assert.Equal(t, 0, v6, "v6 refcount unaffected by missing delete")
-
-	// And after a phantom delete, a real add still results in count=1.
-	r1, err := m.AddDNATRule(dnatV4(8100))
-	require.NoError(t, err, "add v4 dnat after phantom delete")
-	v4, _ = state.Counts()
-	assert.Equal(t, 1, v4, "real add still increments after phantom delete")
-	require.NoError(t, m.DeleteDNATRule(r1))
-}
-
-// TestNftablesRouting_RepeatedEnableSingleReference verifies that EnableRouting
-// (called on every network-map update) holds at most one reference per family
-// and a single DisableRouting drops both back to zero.
-func TestNftablesRouting_RepeatedEnableSingleReference(t *testing.T) {
-	m := newNftRefcountManager(t, true)
-	state := m.router.ipFwdState
-
-	require.NoError(t, m.EnableRouting(), "first enable")
-	require.NoError(t, m.EnableRouting(), "second enable")
-	require.NoError(t, m.EnableRouting(), "third enable")
-	v4, v6 := state.Counts()
-	assert.Equal(t, 1, v4, "repeated enable holds a single v4 reference")
-	assert.Equal(t, 1, v6, "repeated enable holds a single v6 reference")
-
-	require.NoError(t, m.DisableRouting(), "disable")
-	v4, v6 = state.Counts()
-	assert.Equal(t, 0, v4, "single disable releases the v4 reference")
-	assert.Equal(t, 0, v6, "single disable releases the v6 reference")
-}
-
-// TestNftablesRouting_DisableKeepsDNATReference verifies that an unpaired
-// DisableRouting does not release references held by active DNAT rules.
-func TestNftablesRouting_DisableKeepsDNATReference(t *testing.T) {
-	m := newNftRefcountManager(t, true)
-	state := m.router.ipFwdState
-
-	r1, err := m.AddDNATRule(dnatV6(9095))
-	require.NoError(t, err, "add v6 dnat")
-
-	require.NoError(t, m.DisableRouting(), "unpaired disable")
-	_, v6 := state.Counts()
-	assert.Equal(t, 1, v6, "DNAT-held reference survives unpaired DisableRouting")
-
-	require.NoError(t, m.DeleteDNATRule(r1), "delete v6 dnat")
-	_, v6 = state.Counts()
-	assert.Equal(t, 0, v6, "delete releases the DNAT reference")
-}
-
-// TestNftablesDNAT_DoubleDeleteNoUnderflow verifies that deleting the same rule
-// twice does not underflow the refcount (the second delete is a no-op).
-func TestNftablesDNAT_DoubleDeleteNoUnderflow(t *testing.T) {
-	m := newNftRefcountManager(t, true)
-	state := m.router.ipFwdState
-
-	r1, err := m.AddDNATRule(dnatV6(9093))
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	_, v6 := state.Counts()
-	assert.Equal(t, 1, v6)
-
-	require.NoError(t, m.DeleteDNATRule(r1), "first delete")
-	_, v6 = state.Counts()
-	assert.Equal(t, 0, v6)
-
-	require.NoError(t, m.DeleteDNATRule(r1), "second delete must be no-op")
-	_, v6 = state.Counts()
-	assert.Equal(t, 0, v6, "double delete must not underflow")
-}

client/firewall/nftables/manager_linux.go

@@ -105,8 +105,8 @@ func (m *Manager) createIPv6Components(tableName string, wgIface iFaceMapper, mt
 		return fmt.Errorf("create v6 router: %w", err)
 	}
 
-	// Share the per-family forwarding refcounter with the v4 router so a v4
-	// rule and a v6 rule against the same state machine cooperate cleanly.
+	// Share the same IP forwarding state with the v4 router, since
+	// EnableIPForwarding controls both v4 and v6 sysctls.
 	m.router6.ipFwdState = m.router.ipFwdState
 
 	m.aclManager6, err = newAclManager(workTable6, wgIface, chainNameRoutingFw)
@@ -530,12 +530,17 @@ func (m *Manager) SetLogLevel(log.Level) {
 }
 
 func (m *Manager) EnableRouting() error {
-	// v6 only when the overlay actually has v6.
-	return m.router.ipFwdState.RequestRouting(m.router6 != nil)
+	if err := m.router.ipFwdState.RequestForwarding(); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("enable IP forwarding: %w", err)
+	}
+	return nil
 }
 
 func (m *Manager) DisableRouting() error {
-	return m.router.ipFwdState.ReleaseRouting()
+	if err := m.router.ipFwdState.ReleaseForwarding(); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("disable IP forwarding: %w", err)
+	}
+	return nil
 }
 
 // Flush rule/chain/set operations from the buffer

client/firewall/nftables/router_linux.go

@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ func newRouter(workTable *nftables.Table, wgIface iFaceMapper, mtu uint16) (*rou
 		rules:      make(map[string]*nftables.Rule),
 		af:         familyForAddr(workTable.Family == nftables.TableFamilyIPv4),
 		wgIface:    wgIface,
-		ipFwdState: ipfwdstate.NewIPForwardingState(wgIface.Name()),
+		ipFwdState: ipfwdstate.NewIPForwardingState(),
 		mtu:        mtu,
 	}
 
@@ -1553,6 +1553,10 @@ func (r *router) refreshRulesMap() error {
 }
 
 func (r *router) AddDNATRule(rule firewall.ForwardRule) (firewall.Rule, error) {
+	if err := r.ipFwdState.RequestForwarding(); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
 	ruleKey := rule.ID()
 	if _, exists := r.rules[ruleKey+dnatSuffix]; exists {
 		return rule, nil
@@ -1563,18 +1567,7 @@ func (r *router) AddDNATRule(rule firewall.ForwardRule) (firewall.Rule, error) {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("convert protocol to number: %w", err)
 	}
 
-	// Request forwarding before queueing rules: addDnatRedirect/addDnatMasq
-	// buffer netlink messages on r.conn that the next caller's Flush would
-	// commit if we returned without flushing them ourselves.
-	v6 := r.af.tableFamily == nftables.TableFamilyIPv6
-	if err := r.ipFwdState.RequestForwarding(v6); err != nil {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("enable forwarding: %w", err)
-	}
-
 	if err := r.addDnatRedirect(rule, protoNum, ruleKey); err != nil {
-		if rerr := r.ipFwdState.ReleaseForwarding(v6); rerr != nil {
-			log.Warnf("rollback forwarding refcount: %v", rerr)
-		}
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
@@ -1586,11 +1579,6 @@ func (r *router) AddDNATRule(rule firewall.ForwardRule) (firewall.Rule, error) {
 	// TODO: find chains with drop policies and add rules there
 
 	if err := r.conn.Flush(); err != nil {
-		if rerr := r.ipFwdState.ReleaseForwarding(v6); rerr != nil {
-			log.Warnf("rollback forwarding refcount: %v", rerr)
-		}
-		delete(r.rules, ruleKey+dnatSuffix)
-		delete(r.rules, ruleKey+snatSuffix)
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("flush rules: %w", err)
 	}
 
@@ -1793,18 +1781,16 @@ func (r *router) addDnatMasq(rule firewall.ForwardRule, protoNum uint8, ruleKey
 }
 
 func (r *router) DeleteDNATRule(rule firewall.Rule) error {
+	if err := r.ipFwdState.ReleaseForwarding(); err != nil {
+		log.Errorf("%v", err)
+	}
+
 	ruleKey := rule.ID()
 
 	if err := r.refreshRulesMap(); err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf(refreshRulesMapError, err)
 	}
 
-	_, hadDNAT := r.rules[ruleKey+dnatSuffix]
-	_, hadSNAT := r.rules[ruleKey+snatSuffix]
-	if !hadDNAT && !hadSNAT {
-		return nil
-	}
-
 	var merr *multierror.Error
 	var needsFlush bool
 
@@ -1836,16 +1822,9 @@ func (r *router) DeleteDNATRule(rule firewall.Rule) error {
 		}
 	}
 
-	// Release the refcount only once the rules are gone from the kernel. On
-	// failure (including the refreshRulesMap error above) the rules and their
-	// map entries remain, keeping forwarding on until a retry removes them.
 	if merr == nil {
 		delete(r.rules, ruleKey+dnatSuffix)
 		delete(r.rules, ruleKey+snatSuffix)
-
-		if err := r.ipFwdState.ReleaseForwarding(r.af.tableFamily == nftables.TableFamilyIPv6); err != nil {
-			log.Errorf("%v", err)
-		}
 	}
 
 	return nberrors.FormatErrorOrNil(merr)

client/installer.nsis

@@ -22,6 +22,8 @@
 !define UI_REG_APP_PATH "Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\${UI_APP_EXE}"
 !define UI_UNINSTALL_PATH "Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\${UI_APP_NAME}"
 
+!define AUTOSTART_REG_KEY "Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run"
+
 !define NETBIRD_DATA_DIR "$COMMONPROGRAMDATA\Netbird"
 
 Unicode True
@@ -226,6 +228,13 @@ WriteRegStr ${REG_ROOT} "${UNINSTALL_PATH}"  "Publisher" "${COMP_NAME}"
 
 WriteRegStr ${REG_ROOT} "${UI_REG_APP_PATH}" "" "$INSTDIR\${UI_APP_EXE}"
 
+; Autostart is owned by the UI's per-user setting (HKCU\...\Run via Wails),
+; not the installer. Drop the machine-wide entry older installers wrote so the
+; toggle is the single source of truth. HKCU is left untouched -- it may hold
+; the user's own toggle state, which must survive upgrades.
+DetailPrint "Removing installer-managed autostart registry entry if present..."
+DeleteRegValue HKLM "${AUTOSTART_REG_KEY}" "${APP_NAME}"
+
 EnVar::SetHKLM
 EnVar::AddValueEx "path" "$INSTDIR"
 
@@ -290,6 +299,15 @@ ExecWait '"$INSTDIR\${MAIN_APP_EXE}" service uninstall'
 DetailPrint "Terminating Netbird UI process..."
 ExecWait `taskkill /im ${UI_APP_EXE}.exe /f`
 
+; Remove autostart registry entries
+DetailPrint "Removing autostart registry entries if they exist..."
+; Legacy machine-wide entry written by older installers.
+DeleteRegValue HKLM "${AUTOSTART_REG_KEY}" "${APP_NAME}"
+; Per-user entry the UI toggle writes via Wails (value name is the lowercase
+; app-name slug). Uninstall removes the app, so drop it too.
+DeleteRegValue HKCU "${AUTOSTART_REG_KEY}" "${APP_NAME}"
+DeleteRegValue HKCU "${AUTOSTART_REG_KEY}" "netbird"
+
 ; Handle data deletion based on checkbox
 DetailPrint "Checking if user requested data deletion..."
 ${If} $DeleteDataEnabled == "1"

client/internal/debug/debug_linux.go

@@ -844,10 +844,6 @@ func collectSysctls() string {
 		[]string{"net.ipv4.conf.all.src_valid_mark", "net.ipv4.conf.default.src_valid_mark"},
 		listInterfaceSysctls("ipv4", "src_valid_mark")...,
 	))
-	writeSysctlGroup(&builder, "accept_ra", append(
-		[]string{"net.ipv6.conf.all.accept_ra", "net.ipv6.conf.default.accept_ra"},
-		listInterfaceSysctls("ipv6", "accept_ra")...,
-	))
 	writeSysctlGroup(&builder, "conntrack", []string{
 		"net.netfilter.nf_conntrack_acct",
 		"net.netfilter.nf_conntrack_tcp_loose",

client/internal/dns/host_darwin.go

@@ -267,38 +267,18 @@ func (s *systemConfigurator) getSystemDNSSettings() (SystemDNSSettings, error) {
 		return SystemDNSSettings{}, fmt.Errorf("sending the command: %w", err)
 	}
 
-	dnsSettings, serverAddresses, err := parseSystemDNSSettings(b)
-	if err != nil {
-		return dnsSettings, err
-	}
-
-	s.mu.Lock()
-	s.origNameservers = serverAddresses
-	s.mu.Unlock()
-
-	return dnsSettings, nil
-}
-
-// parseSystemDNSSettings parses the output of `scutil show State:/Network/Service/<id>/DNS`.
-// Lines that don't match the expected "index : value" shape are skipped: hosts with unusual
-// network services (e.g. orphaned hardware ports) can produce entries without a value.
-func parseSystemDNSSettings(out []byte) (SystemDNSSettings, []netip.Addr, error) {
-	// port is not exposed by scutil, default to 53
-	dnsSettings := SystemDNSSettings{ServerPort: DefaultPort}
+	var dnsSettings SystemDNSSettings
 	var serverAddresses []netip.Addr
 	inSearchDomainsArray := false
 	inServerAddressesArray := false
 
-	scanner := bufio.NewScanner(bytes.NewReader(out))
+	scanner := bufio.NewScanner(bytes.NewReader(b))
 	for scanner.Scan() {
 		line := strings.TrimSpace(scanner.Text())
 		switch {
 		case strings.HasPrefix(line, "DomainName :"):
-			domainName := strings.TrimSpace(strings.TrimPrefix(line, "DomainName :"))
-			if domainName != "" {
-				dnsSettings.Domains = append(dnsSettings.Domains, domainName)
-			}
-			continue
+			domainName := strings.TrimSpace(strings.Split(line, ":")[1])
+			dnsSettings.Domains = append(dnsSettings.Domains, domainName)
 		case line == "SearchDomains : <array> {":
 			inSearchDomainsArray = true
 			continue
@@ -308,45 +288,36 @@ func parseSystemDNSSettings(out []byte) (SystemDNSSettings, []netip.Addr, error)
 		case line == "}":
 			inSearchDomainsArray = false
 			inServerAddressesArray = false
-			continue
-		}
-
-		if !inSearchDomainsArray && !inServerAddressesArray {
-			continue
-		}
-
-		parts := strings.SplitN(line, " : ", 2)
-		if len(parts) != 2 {
-			log.Debugf("skipping unexpected scutil DNS line %q", line)
-			continue
-		}
-		value := strings.TrimSpace(parts[1])
-		if value == "" {
-			continue
 		}
 
 		if inSearchDomainsArray {
-			dnsSettings.Domains = append(dnsSettings.Domains, value)
-			continue
-		}
-
-		ip, err := netip.ParseAddr(value)
-		if err != nil || ip.IsUnspecified() {
-			continue
-		}
-		ip = ip.Unmap()
-		serverAddresses = append(serverAddresses, ip)
-		// Prefer the first IPv4 server as ServerIP since our DNS listener is IPv4.
-		if !dnsSettings.ServerIP.IsValid() && ip.Is4() {
-			dnsSettings.ServerIP = ip
+			searchDomain := strings.Split(line, " : ")[1]
+			dnsSettings.Domains = append(dnsSettings.Domains, searchDomain)
+		} else if inServerAddressesArray {
+			address := strings.Split(line, " : ")[1]
+			if ip, err := netip.ParseAddr(address); err == nil && !ip.IsUnspecified() {
+				ip = ip.Unmap()
+				serverAddresses = append(serverAddresses, ip)
+				// Prefer the first IPv4 server as ServerIP since our DNS listener is IPv4.
+				if !dnsSettings.ServerIP.IsValid() && ip.Is4() {
+					dnsSettings.ServerIP = ip
+				}
+			}
 		}
 	}
 
 	if err := scanner.Err(); err != nil {
-		return dnsSettings, serverAddresses, err
+		return dnsSettings, err
 	}
 
-	return dnsSettings, serverAddresses, nil
+	// default to 53 port
+	dnsSettings.ServerPort = DefaultPort
+
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	s.origNameservers = serverAddresses
+	s.mu.Unlock()
+
+	return dnsSettings, nil
 }
 
 func (s *systemConfigurator) getOriginalNameservers() []netip.Addr {
@@ -464,15 +435,11 @@ func (s *systemConfigurator) getPrimaryService() (string, string, error) {
 	router := ""
 	for scanner.Scan() {
 		text := scanner.Text()
-		parts := strings.SplitN(text, ":", 2)
-		if len(parts) != 2 {
-			continue
-		}
 		if strings.Contains(text, "PrimaryService") {
-			primaryService = strings.TrimSpace(parts[1])
+			primaryService = strings.TrimSpace(strings.Split(text, ":")[1])
 		}
 		if strings.Contains(text, "Router") {
-			router = strings.TrimSpace(parts[1])
+			router = strings.TrimSpace(strings.Split(text, ":")[1])
 		}
 	}
 	if err := scanner.Err(); err != nil && err != io.EOF {

client/internal/dns/host_darwin_test.go

@@ -328,120 +328,6 @@ func removeTestDNSKey(key string) error {
 	return err
 }
 
-func TestParseSystemDNSSettings(t *testing.T) {
-	tests := []struct {
-		name            string
-		output          string
-		expectedDomains []string
-		expectedServers []netip.Addr
-		expectedIP      netip.Addr
-	}{
-		{
-			name: "well_formed",
-			output: `<dictionary> {
-  DomainName : example.com
-  SearchDomains : <array> {
-    0 : example.com
-    1 : corp.example.com
-  }
-  ServerAddresses : <array> {
-    0 : 192.168.1.1
-    1 : fd00::53
-  }
-}
-`,
-			expectedDomains: []string{"example.com", "example.com", "corp.example.com"},
-			expectedServers: []netip.Addr{netip.MustParseAddr("192.168.1.1"), netip.MustParseAddr("fd00::53")},
-			expectedIP:      netip.MustParseAddr("192.168.1.1"),
-		},
-		{
-			// entries without a value after the separator used to panic with
-			// "index out of range [1] with length 1"
-			name: "malformed_array_entries_skipped",
-			output: `<dictionary> {
-  SearchDomains : <array> {
-    0 :
-    (null)
-
-    1 : corp.example.com
-  }
-  ServerAddresses : <array> {
-    0 :
-    1 : 192.168.1.1
-  }
-}
-`,
-			expectedDomains: []string{"corp.example.com"},
-			expectedServers: []netip.Addr{netip.MustParseAddr("192.168.1.1")},
-			expectedIP:      netip.MustParseAddr("192.168.1.1"),
-		},
-		{
-			name: "domain_name_without_value_skipped",
-			output: `<dictionary> {
-  DomainName :
-  ServerAddresses : <array> {
-    0 : 192.168.1.1
-  }
-}
-`,
-			expectedServers: []netip.Addr{netip.MustParseAddr("192.168.1.1")},
-			expectedIP:      netip.MustParseAddr("192.168.1.1"),
-		},
-		{
-			name: "ipv6_first_prefers_ipv4_server_ip",
-			output: `<dictionary> {
-  ServerAddresses : <array> {
-    0 : fd00::53
-    1 : 192.168.1.1
-  }
-}
-`,
-			expectedServers: []netip.Addr{netip.MustParseAddr("fd00::53"), netip.MustParseAddr("192.168.1.1")},
-			expectedIP:      netip.MustParseAddr("192.168.1.1"),
-		},
-		{
-			name: "invalid_and_unspecified_addresses_skipped",
-			output: `<dictionary> {
-  ServerAddresses : <array> {
-    0 : (null)
-    1 : 0.0.0.0
-    2 : 192.168.1.1
-  }
-}
-`,
-			expectedServers: []netip.Addr{netip.MustParseAddr("192.168.1.1")},
-			expectedIP:      netip.MustParseAddr("192.168.1.1"),
-		},
-		{
-			name: "v4_mapped_address_unmapped",
-			output: `<dictionary> {
-  ServerAddresses : <array> {
-    0 : ::ffff:192.168.1.1
-  }
-}
-`,
-			expectedServers: []netip.Addr{netip.MustParseAddr("192.168.1.1")},
-			expectedIP:      netip.MustParseAddr("192.168.1.1"),
-		},
-		{
-			name:   "empty_output",
-			output: "",
-		},
-	}
-
-	for _, tc := range tests {
-		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
-			settings, servers, err := parseSystemDNSSettings([]byte(tc.output))
-			require.NoError(t, err, "parsing should not fail")
-
-			assert.Equal(t, tc.expectedDomains, settings.Domains, "domains should match")
-			assert.Equal(t, tc.expectedServers, servers, "server addresses should match")
-			assert.Equal(t, tc.expectedIP, settings.ServerIP, "server IP should match")
-			assert.Equal(t, DefaultPort, settings.ServerPort, "server port should default to 53")
-		})
-	}
-}
-
 func TestGetOriginalNameservers(t *testing.T) {
 	configurator := &systemConfigurator{
 		createdKeys: make(map[string]struct{}),

client/internal/routemanager/ipfwdstate/ipfwdstate.go

@@ -2,183 +2,54 @@ package ipfwdstate
 
 import (
 	"fmt"
-	"sync"
 
 	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
 
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/routemanager/systemops"
 )
 
-// IPForwardingState tracks v4 and v6 IP-forwarding sysctl enables with
-// independent refcounts so a v4-only routing setup doesn't flip v6 sysctls.
+// IPForwardingState is a struct that keeps track of the IP forwarding state.
+// todo: read initial state of the IP forwarding from the system and reset the state based on it.
+// todo: separate v4/v6 forwarding state, since the sysctls are independent
+// (net.ipv4.ip_forward vs net.ipv6.conf.all.forwarding). Currently the nftables
+// manager shares one instance between both routers, which works only because
+// EnableIPForwarding enables both sysctls in a single call.
 type IPForwardingState struct {
-	mu sync.Mutex
-
-	v4Count int
-	v6Count int
-
-	// routingV4/routingV6 track whether the routing path currently holds a
-	// reference, so repeated EnableRouting calls (one per network-map update)
-	// hold at most one reference per family and an unpaired DisableRouting
-	// can't release references held by DNAT rules.
-	routingV4 bool
-	routingV6 bool
-
-	wgIfaceName string
-	v6Saved     map[string]int
+	enabledCounter int
 }
 
-// NewIPForwardingState returns a state tracker for the IP-forwarding sysctls.
-// wgIfaceName is excluded from the per-interface accept_ra handling.
-func NewIPForwardingState(wgIfaceName string) *IPForwardingState {
-	return &IPForwardingState{wgIfaceName: wgIfaceName}
+func NewIPForwardingState() *IPForwardingState {
+	return &IPForwardingState{}
 }
 
-// Counts returns the current v4 and v6 refcounts. Intended for diagnostics
-// and tests.
-func (f *IPForwardingState) Counts() (v4, v6 int) {
-	f.mu.Lock()
-	defer f.mu.Unlock()
-	return f.v4Count, f.v6Count
-}
-
-// RequestRouting takes the forwarding references for the routing path. It is
-// idempotent: while routing already holds a reference, further calls don't
-// increment the refcounts, and a v4-only request releases a previously held v6
-// reference. A v6 sysctl failure is logged and not returned so it can't take
-// down v4 routing (the sysctl may be unwritable, e.g. read-only /proc/sys or
-// IPv6 disabled on the kernel command line); v6 is retried on the next call.
-func (f *IPForwardingState) RequestRouting(v6 bool) error {
-	f.mu.Lock()
-	defer f.mu.Unlock()
-
-	if !f.routingV4 {
-		if err := f.requestV4(); err != nil {
-			return err
-		}
-		f.routingV4 = true
-	}
-
-	if !v6 {
-		if !f.routingV6 {
-			return nil
-		}
-		f.routingV6 = false
-		return f.releaseV6()
-	}
-
-	if f.routingV6 {
-		return nil
-	}
-	if err := f.requestV6(); err != nil {
-		log.Warnf("enable IPv6 forwarding for routing: %v", err)
-		return nil
-	}
-	f.routingV6 = true
-	return nil
-}
-
-// ReleaseRouting releases the references RequestRouting holds. Calls without a
-// held reference are no-ops.
-func (f *IPForwardingState) ReleaseRouting() error {
-	f.mu.Lock()
-	defer f.mu.Unlock()
-
-	if f.routingV4 {
-		f.routingV4 = false
-		f.releaseV4()
-	}
-	if f.routingV6 {
-		f.routingV6 = false
-		return f.releaseV6()
-	}
-	return nil
-}
-
-// RequestForwarding enables the family's forwarding sysctl on first request.
-func (f *IPForwardingState) RequestForwarding(v6 bool) error {
-	f.mu.Lock()
-	defer f.mu.Unlock()
-
-	if v6 {
-		return f.requestV6()
-	}
-	return f.requestV4()
-}
-
-// ReleaseForwarding decrements the family counter. The last v6 release restores
-// what enable captured. v4 stays on: net.ipv4.ip_forward is co-owned by other
-// tooling (docker, k8s, libvirt).
-func (f *IPForwardingState) ReleaseForwarding(v6 bool) error {
-	f.mu.Lock()
-	defer f.mu.Unlock()
-
-	if v6 {
-		return f.releaseV6()
-	}
-	f.releaseV4()
-	return nil
-}
-
-func (f *IPForwardingState) requestV4() error {
-	if f.v4Count == 0 {
-		if err := systemops.EnableV4IPForwarding(); err != nil {
-			return fmt.Errorf("enable IPv4 forwarding: %w", err)
-		}
-		log.Info("IPv4 forwarding enabled")
-	}
-	f.v4Count++
-	return nil
-}
-
-func (f *IPForwardingState) releaseV4() {
-	if f.v4Count > 0 {
-		f.v4Count--
-	}
-}
-
-func (f *IPForwardingState) requestV6() error {
-	if f.v6Count == 0 {
-		saved, err := systemops.EnableV6IPForwarding(f.wgIfaceName)
-		if err != nil {
-			if rerr := systemops.DisableV6IPForwarding(saved); rerr != nil {
-				log.Warnf("rollback partial v6 sysctls: %v", rerr)
-			}
-			return fmt.Errorf("enable IPv6 forwarding: %w", err)
-		}
-		// A failed restore on a previous release keeps its saved values; those
-		// are the true originals, so keep them over what this enable captured.
-		if f.v6Saved == nil {
-			f.v6Saved = saved
-		} else {
-			for k, v := range saved {
-				if _, ok := f.v6Saved[k]; !ok {
-					f.v6Saved[k] = v
-				}
-			}
-		}
-		log.Info("IPv6 forwarding enabled")
-	}
-	f.v6Count++
-	return nil
-}
-
-func (f *IPForwardingState) releaseV6() error {
-	if f.v6Count == 0 {
-		return nil
-	}
-	f.v6Count--
-	if f.v6Count > 0 {
+func (f *IPForwardingState) RequestForwarding() error {
+	if f.enabledCounter != 0 {
+		f.enabledCounter++
 		return nil
 	}
 
-	// Keep the saved values on failure so a later release or enable/release
-	// cycle can still restore them; re-restoring an already-restored key is a
-	// no-op since the sysctl already holds the desired value.
-	if err := systemops.DisableV6IPForwarding(f.v6Saved); err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("disable IPv6 forwarding: %w", err)
+	if err := systemops.EnableIPForwarding(); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to enable IP forwarding with sysctl: %w", err)
 	}
-	f.v6Saved = nil
-	log.Info("IPv6 forwarding disabled")
+	f.enabledCounter = 1
+	log.Info("IP forwarding enabled")
+
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (f *IPForwardingState) ReleaseForwarding() error {
+	if f.enabledCounter == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	if f.enabledCounter > 1 {
+		f.enabledCounter--
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	// if failed to disable IP forwarding we anyway decrement the counter
+	f.enabledCounter = 0
+
+	// todo call systemops.DisableIPForwarding()
 	return nil
 }

client/internal/routemanager/ipfwdstate/ipfwdstate_privileged_linux_test.go

@@ -1,39 +0,0 @@
-//go:build privileged
-
-package ipfwdstate
-
-import (
-	"testing"
-
-	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
-	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
-)
-
-// TestRequestRoutingV6ToV4Transition verifies that a v4-only routing request
-// releases a previously held routing-owned v6 reference without touching
-// references held by DNAT rules.
-func TestRequestRoutingV6ToV4Transition(t *testing.T) {
-	f := NewIPForwardingState("wt-fwd-test")
-
-	require.NoError(t, f.RequestRouting(true), "request routing with v6")
-	v4, v6 := f.Counts()
-	assert.Equal(t, 1, v4, "v4 reference held")
-	assert.Equal(t, 1, v6, "v6 reference held")
-
-	require.NoError(t, f.RequestRouting(false), "request routing v4-only")
-	v4, v6 = f.Counts()
-	assert.Equal(t, 1, v4, "v4 reference kept")
-	assert.Equal(t, 0, v6, "routing-owned v6 reference released")
-
-	// A DNAT-held reference survives a v4-only routing request.
-	require.NoError(t, f.RequestForwarding(true), "dnat v6 reference")
-	require.NoError(t, f.RequestRouting(false), "repeat v4-only request")
-	_, v6 = f.Counts()
-	assert.Equal(t, 1, v6, "dnat-held v6 reference survives")
-	require.NoError(t, f.ReleaseForwarding(true), "release dnat v6 reference")
-
-	require.NoError(t, f.ReleaseRouting(), "release routing")
-	v4, v6 = f.Counts()
-	assert.Equal(t, 0, v4, "all v4 references released")
-	assert.Equal(t, 0, v6, "all v6 references released")
-}

client/internal/routemanager/sysctl/sysctl_linux.go

@@ -58,7 +58,11 @@ func Setup(wgIface iface) (map[string]int, error) {
 			continue
 		}
 
-		i := fmt.Sprintf(rpFilterInterfacePath, EscapeInterfaceName(intf.Name))
+		// Escape '%' and '.' so they survive the dot-to-slash conversion in Set()
+		safeName := strings.ReplaceAll(intf.Name, "%", percentEscape)
+		safeName = strings.ReplaceAll(safeName, ".", dotEscape)
+
+		i := fmt.Sprintf(rpFilterInterfacePath, safeName)
 		oldVal, err := Set(i, 2, true)
 		if err != nil {
 			result = multierror.Append(result, err)
@@ -70,13 +74,6 @@ func Setup(wgIface iface) (map[string]int, error) {
 	return keys, nberrors.FormatErrorOrNil(result)
 }
 
-// EscapeInterfaceName escapes '%' and '.' in an interface name (e.g. VLANs
-// like eth0.100) so the name survives the dot-to-slash conversion in Set.
-func EscapeInterfaceName(name string) string {
-	safe := strings.ReplaceAll(name, "%", percentEscape)
-	return strings.ReplaceAll(safe, ".", dotEscape)
-}
-
 // Set sets a sysctl configuration, if onlyIfOne is true it will only set the new value if it's set to 1
 func Set(key string, desiredValue int, onlyIfOne bool) (int, error) {
 	path := strings.ReplaceAll(key, ".", "/")

client/internal/routemanager/systemops/systemops_android.go

@@ -32,17 +32,8 @@ func (r *SysOps) removeFromRouteTable(netip.Prefix, Nexthop) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func EnableV4IPForwarding() error {
-	log.Infof("Enable IPv4 forwarding is not implemented on %s", runtime.GOOS)
-	return nil
-}
-
-func EnableV6IPForwarding(string) (map[string]int, error) {
-	log.Infof("Enable IPv6 forwarding is not implemented on %s", runtime.GOOS)
-	return map[string]int{}, nil
-}
-
-func DisableV6IPForwarding(map[string]int) error {
+func EnableIPForwarding() error {
+	log.Infof("Enable IP forwarding is not implemented on %s", runtime.GOOS)
 	return nil
 }
 

client/internal/routemanager/systemops/systemops_ios.go

@@ -58,17 +58,8 @@ func (r *SysOps) removeFromRouteTable(netip.Prefix, Nexthop) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func EnableV4IPForwarding() error {
-	log.Infof("Enable IPv4 forwarding is not implemented on %s", runtime.GOOS)
-	return nil
-}
-
-func EnableV6IPForwarding(string) (map[string]int, error) {
-	log.Infof("Enable IPv6 forwarding is not implemented on %s", runtime.GOOS)
-	return map[string]int{}, nil
-}
-
-func DisableV6IPForwarding(map[string]int) error {
+func EnableIPForwarding() error {
+	log.Infof("Enable IP forwarding is not implemented on %s", runtime.GOOS)
 	return nil
 }
 

client/internal/routemanager/systemops/systemops_linux.go

@@ -763,10 +763,13 @@ func flushRoutes(tableID, family int) error {
 	return nberrors.FormatErrorOrNil(result)
 }
 
-func EnableV4IPForwarding() error {
+func EnableIPForwarding() error {
 	if _, err := sysctl.Set(ipv4ForwardingPath, 1, false); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
+	if _, err := sysctl.Set(ipv6ForwardingPath, 1, false); err != nil {
+		log.Warnf("failed to enable IPv6 forwarding: %v", err)
+	}
 	return nil
 }
 

client/internal/routemanager/systemops/systemops_nonlinux.go

@@ -43,17 +43,8 @@ func (r *SysOps) RemoveVPNRoute(prefix netip.Prefix, intf *net.Interface) error
 	return r.genericRemoveVPNRoute(prefix, intf)
 }
 
-func EnableV4IPForwarding() error {
-	log.Infof("Enable IPv4 forwarding is not implemented on %s", runtime.GOOS)
-	return nil
-}
-
-func EnableV6IPForwarding(string) (map[string]int, error) {
-	log.Infof("Enable IPv6 forwarding is not implemented on %s", runtime.GOOS)
-	return map[string]int{}, nil
-}
-
-func DisableV6IPForwarding(map[string]int) error {
+func EnableIPForwarding() error {
+	log.Infof("Enable IP forwarding is not implemented on %s", runtime.GOOS)
 	return nil
 }
 

client/internal/routemanager/systemops/v6forwarding_linux.go

@@ -1,92 +0,0 @@
-//go:build !android
-
-package systemops
-
-import (
-	"fmt"
-	"net"
-	"os"
-
-	"github.com/hashicorp/go-multierror"
-	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
-
-	nberrors "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/errors"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/routemanager/sysctl"
-)
-
-const (
-	// 1 (default) accepts RAs only while forwarding is off; 2 keeps RA
-	// acceptance on regardless, so RA-installed host defaults survive our
-	// v6 forwarding flip.
-	acceptRAInterfacePath  = "net.ipv6.conf.%s.accept_ra"
-	acceptRADefaultPath    = "net.ipv6.conf.default.accept_ra"
-	acceptRAProcPathFormat = "/proc/sys/net/ipv6/conf/%s/accept_ra"
-)
-
-// EnableV6IPForwarding bumps accept_ra=2 on host v6 interfaces before flipping
-// forwarding=1, so RA-installed host defaults survive. Returns the prior values
-// of sysctls we actually changed; entries already at the target are omitted.
-func EnableV6IPForwarding(wgIfaceName string) (map[string]int, error) {
-	saved := map[string]int{}
-	bumpAcceptRA(saved, wgIfaceName)
-
-	oldVal, err := sysctl.Set(ipv6ForwardingPath, 1, false)
-	if err != nil {
-		return saved, err
-	}
-	if oldVal != 1 {
-		saved[ipv6ForwardingPath] = oldVal
-	}
-	return saved, nil
-}
-
-// DisableV6IPForwarding restores what EnableV6IPForwarding captured.
-func DisableV6IPForwarding(saved map[string]int) error {
-	var result *multierror.Error
-	for key, value := range saved {
-		if _, err := sysctl.Set(key, value, false); err != nil {
-			result = multierror.Append(result, fmt.Errorf("restore %s: %w", key, err))
-		}
-	}
-	return nberrors.FormatErrorOrNil(result)
-}
-
-func bumpAcceptRA(saved map[string]int, wgIfaceName string) {
-	// Also bump conf.default so interfaces created while forwarding is on
-	// (hotplug, new Wi-Fi/dock) inherit accept_ra=2 and keep accepting RAs.
-	bumpAcceptRAKey(saved, acceptRADefaultPath)
-
-	interfaces, err := net.Interfaces()
-	if err != nil {
-		log.Warnf("list interfaces for accept_ra: %v", err)
-		return
-	}
-	for _, intf := range interfaces {
-		if intf.Name == "lo" || intf.Name == wgIfaceName {
-			continue
-		}
-		bumpAcceptRAForInterface(saved, intf.Name)
-	}
-}
-
-func bumpAcceptRAForInterface(saved map[string]int, name string) {
-	// Build procfs path from name, not the dotted key: VLAN names like eth0.100.
-	if _, err := os.Stat(fmt.Sprintf(acceptRAProcPathFormat, name)); err != nil {
-		return
-	}
-	bumpAcceptRAKey(saved, fmt.Sprintf(acceptRAInterfacePath, sysctl.EscapeInterfaceName(name)))
-}
-
-func bumpAcceptRAKey(saved map[string]int, key string) {
-	// onlyIfOne=true: leave admin overrides (0, 2) alone.
-	oldVal, err := sysctl.Set(key, 2, true)
-	if err != nil {
-		log.Warnf("bump %s: %v", key, err)
-		return
-	}
-	// With onlyIfOne, a write only happened when the old value was 1; values
-	// left untouched (0, 2) must not be recorded for restore.
-	if oldVal == 1 {
-		saved[key] = oldVal
-	}
-}

client/ios/NetBirdSDK/client.go

@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/listener"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/peer"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/profilemanager"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/ssh/jwtcache"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/system"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/formatter"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/route"
@@ -92,7 +93,14 @@ type Client struct {
 
 	stateMu       sync.RWMutex
 	connectClient *internal.ConnectClient
-	config        *profilemanager.Config
+	// config holds the active configuration once Run has loaded it. Consumed by
+	// the in-app SSH client for the NetBird SSH key and the OAuth flow.
+	config *profilemanager.Config
+
+	// sshJWTCache keeps the SSH JWT token between reconnects so the user is not
+	// forced through the browser OAuth flow on every session. Lives on Client
+	// (not SSHClient) because the app creates a new SSHClient per session.
+	sshJWTCache *jwtcache.Cache
 }
 
 // NewClient instantiate a new Client
@@ -109,6 +117,7 @@ func NewClient(cfgFile, stateFile, cacheDir, logFilePath, deviceName string, osV
 		ctxCancelLock:         &sync.Mutex{},
 		networkChangeListener: networkChangeListener,
 		dnsManager:            dnsManager,
+		sshJWTCache:           jwtcache.New(),
 	}
 }
 
@@ -183,6 +192,7 @@ func (c *Client) Run(fd int32, interfaceName string, envList *EnvList) error {
 	ctx = internal.CtxInitState(ctx)
 	c.onHostDnsFn = func([]string) {}
 	cfg.WgIface = interfaceName
+	c.config = cfg
 
 	connectClient := internal.NewConnectClient(ctx, cfg, c.recorder)
 	c.setState(cfg, connectClient)
@@ -708,6 +718,13 @@ func (c *Client) stateSnapshot() (*profilemanager.Config, *internal.ConnectClien
 	return c.config, c.connectClient
 }
 
+// sshState returns the active config and the running connect client for the
+// in-app SSH client. Both are nil until Run has loaded the config and started
+// the tunnel.
+func (c *Client) sshState() (*profilemanager.Config, *internal.ConnectClient) {
+	return c.stateSnapshot()
+}
+
 func formatDuration(d time.Duration) string {
 	ds := d.String()
 	dotIndex := strings.Index(ds, ".")

client/ios/NetBirdSDK/ssh_client.go

@@ -0,0 +1,512 @@
+//go:build ios
+
+package NetBirdSDK
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"io"
+	"net"
+	"strconv"
+	"strings"
+	"sync"
+	"syscall"
+	"time"
+
+	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
+	gossh "golang.org/x/crypto/ssh"
+
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/auth"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/profilemanager"
+	nbssh "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/ssh"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/ssh/detection"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/ssh/jwtcache"
+)
+
+const (
+	sshDialTimeout      = 30 * time.Second
+	sshDetectionTimeout = 5 * time.Second
+)
+
+// SSHTerminalListener receives SSH session events. It is implemented in Swift.
+//
+// All callbacks are invoked from goroutines and may run concurrently with each
+// other; the implementation must be safe to call from any thread.
+type SSHTerminalListener interface {
+	OnConnected()
+	OnData(data []byte)
+	OnClose(reason string)
+	OnError(message string)
+}
+
+// SSHClient is a NetBird-aware SSH client exposed to Swift via gomobile.
+//
+// It dials through the running NetBird tunnel and runs a standard SSH session
+// on top with PTY enabled. Host-key verification uses the NetBird-provided
+// peer SSH host keys, identical to the desktop client.
+type SSHClient struct {
+	nb        *Client
+	mu        sync.Mutex
+	listener  SSHTerminalListener
+	urlOpener URLOpener
+
+	sshClient *gossh.Client
+	session   *gossh.Session
+	stdin     io.WriteCloser
+	closed    bool
+}
+
+// NewSSHClient creates a new SSH client bound to the running NetBird Client.
+func NewSSHClient(c *Client) *SSHClient {
+	return &SSHClient{nb: c}
+}
+
+// SetListener registers the Swift listener. Must be called before Connect to
+// receive any events.
+func (s *SSHClient) SetListener(l SSHTerminalListener) {
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	s.listener = l
+	s.mu.Unlock()
+}
+
+// SetURLOpener registers the Swift URL opener used to display the device-code
+// authorization page in an in-app browser when the target peer requires JWT
+// authentication. Must be set before Connect to be effective.
+func (s *SSHClient) SetURLOpener(opener URLOpener) {
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	s.urlOpener = opener
+	s.mu.Unlock()
+}
+
+// Connect dials the SSH server through the NetBird tunnel and performs the
+// SSH handshake. It auto-detects the server type via SSH banner inspection
+// and selects the appropriate authentication path:
+//
+//   - NetBird-SSH server requiring JWT: launches the OAuth 2.0 device-code
+//     flow, opens the verification URL through the registered URLOpener, and
+//     uses the resulting token as the SSH password. Host-key verification
+//     uses the NetBird peer registry.
+//   - NetBird-SSH server without JWT: authenticates with the NetBird SSH
+//     private key. Host-key verification uses the NetBird peer registry.
+//   - Regular SSH server (e.g. OpenSSH): authenticates with the NetBird key
+//     first (so a user-installed NetBird public key works), then falls back
+//     to the supplied password if non-empty. Host-key verification is
+//     disabled (TOFU pending).
+//
+// The password parameter is only consulted for regular SSH servers.
+//
+// This is the only way to open a session, deliberately so: the JWT is a bearer
+// token, and detection is what proves the listener is a NetBird SSH service
+// before the token is offered to it. A peer whose NetBird SSH is disabled is
+// served by plain sshd and authenticates by key or password like any other
+// host, so it stays reachable without an OAuth round trip.
+func (s *SSHClient) Connect(host string, port int, user, password string) error {
+	cfg, cc := s.nb.sshState()
+	if cc == nil {
+		return errors.New("netbird client not running")
+	}
+	if cfg == nil {
+		return errors.New("netbird config not loaded")
+	}
+	engine := cc.Engine()
+	if engine == nil {
+		return errors.New("netbird engine not available")
+	}
+
+	wgDialer := makeWGDialer(cfg.WgIface, sshDialTimeout)
+
+	serverType := detectServerType(host, port, wgDialer)
+	log.Infof("SSH server type for %s:%d: %s", host, port, serverType)
+
+	authMethods, hostKeyCallback, err := s.buildAuth(cfg, engine, serverType, password)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	clientConfig := &gossh.ClientConfig{
+		User:            user,
+		Auth:            authMethods,
+		HostKeyCallback: hostKeyCallback,
+		Timeout:         sshDialTimeout,
+	}
+	if err := s.dialAndHandshake(host, port, clientConfig, wgDialer); err != nil {
+		return annotateAuthError(err, serverType, user)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// annotateAuthError adds NetBird-specific guidance to an authentication
+// failure, but only for a server that detection identified as NetBird-SSH.
+// There a rejection nearly always means the peer's dashboard SSH access is not
+// configured for this account, which the raw gossh error does not convey.
+func annotateAuthError(err error, serverType detection.ServerType, user string) error {
+	if !serverType.RequiresJWT() {
+		return err
+	}
+	msg := err.Error()
+	if !strings.Contains(msg, "no supported methods remain") &&
+		!strings.Contains(msg, "unable to authenticate") {
+		return err
+	}
+	return fmt.Errorf("NetBird SSH authentication rejected.\n\n"+
+		"Checklist:\n"+
+		"  1. SSH is enabled for this peer in the NetBird dashboard\n"+
+		"  2. Your account is listed under SSH access for this peer\n"+
+		"  3. The OS username (%q) is mapped to your account\n\n"+
+		"If SSH access is not configured, connect with a password instead.\n\n"+
+		"Original: %w", user, err)
+}
+
+// StartSession requests a PTY and starts an interactive shell. Output from
+// the session is forwarded to the listener via OnData.
+func (s *SSHClient) StartSession(cols, rows int) error {
+	log.Debugf("SSH: starting session %dx%d", cols, rows)
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	sshClient := s.sshClient
+	s.mu.Unlock()
+
+	if sshClient == nil {
+		return errors.New("ssh client not connected")
+	}
+
+	session, err := sshClient.NewSession()
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("new session: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	modes := gossh.TerminalModes{
+		gossh.ECHO:          1,
+		gossh.TTY_OP_ISPEED: 14400,
+		gossh.TTY_OP_OSPEED: 14400,
+		gossh.VINTR:         3,
+		gossh.VQUIT:         28,
+		gossh.VERASE:        127,
+	}
+	if err := session.RequestPty("xterm-256color", rows, cols, modes); err != nil {
+		closeQuiet(session, "session after pty error")
+		return fmt.Errorf("request pty: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	stdin, err := session.StdinPipe()
+	if err != nil {
+		closeQuiet(session, "session after stdin error")
+		return fmt.Errorf("stdin pipe: %w", err)
+	}
+	stdout, err := session.StdoutPipe()
+	if err != nil {
+		closeQuiet(session, "session after stdout error")
+		return fmt.Errorf("stdout pipe: %w", err)
+	}
+	stderr, err := session.StderrPipe()
+	if err != nil {
+		closeQuiet(session, "session after stderr error")
+		return fmt.Errorf("stderr pipe: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	if err := session.Shell(); err != nil {
+		closeQuiet(session, "session after shell error")
+		return fmt.Errorf("start shell: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	s.session = session
+	s.stdin = stdin
+	s.mu.Unlock()
+
+	go s.readLoop(stdout, "stdout")
+	go s.readLoop(stderr, "stderr")
+	log.Debug("SSH: session started, shell running")
+	return nil
+}
+
+// Write sends data to the SSH session stdin.
+func (s *SSHClient) Write(data []byte) error {
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	stdin := s.stdin
+	s.mu.Unlock()
+	if stdin == nil {
+		return errors.New("ssh session not started")
+	}
+	if _, err := stdin.Write(data); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("write stdin: %w", err)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// Resize updates the PTY window size.
+func (s *SSHClient) Resize(cols, rows int) error {
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	session := s.session
+	s.mu.Unlock()
+	if session == nil {
+		return errors.New("ssh session not started")
+	}
+	return session.WindowChange(rows, cols)
+}
+
+// Close terminates the SSH session and underlying connection. Safe to call
+// multiple times.
+func (s *SSHClient) Close() error {
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	sshClient := s.sshClient
+	session := s.session
+	stdin := s.stdin
+	s.sshClient = nil
+	s.session = nil
+	s.stdin = nil
+	s.mu.Unlock()
+
+	if stdin != nil {
+		if err := stdin.Close(); err != nil {
+			log.Debugf("ssh: stdin close: %v", err)
+		}
+	}
+	if session != nil {
+		if err := session.Close(); err != nil && !errors.Is(err, io.EOF) {
+			log.Debugf("ssh: session close: %v", err)
+		}
+	}
+	var firstErr error
+	if sshClient != nil {
+		if err := sshClient.Close(); err != nil {
+			firstErr = err
+		}
+	}
+	s.notifyClose("closed by client")
+	return firstErr
+}
+
+func (s *SSHClient) buildAuth(cfg *profilemanager.Config, engine *internal.Engine,
+	serverType detection.ServerType, password string) ([]gossh.AuthMethod, gossh.HostKeyCallback, error) {
+
+	switch serverType {
+	case detection.ServerTypeNetBirdJWT:
+		token, err := s.requestJWTToken(cfg)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("jwt: %w", err)
+		}
+		auths := []gossh.AuthMethod{gossh.Password(token)}
+		return auths, nbssh.CreateHostKeyCallback(&engineHostKeyVerifier{engine: engine}), nil
+
+	case detection.ServerTypeNetBirdNoJWT:
+		if cfg.SSHKey == "" {
+			return nil, nil, errors.New("no NetBird SSH key available")
+		}
+		signer, err := gossh.ParsePrivateKey([]byte(cfg.SSHKey))
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("parse netbird ssh key: %w", err)
+		}
+		auths := []gossh.AuthMethod{gossh.PublicKeys(signer)}
+		return auths, nbssh.CreateHostKeyCallback(&engineHostKeyVerifier{engine: engine}), nil
+
+	default: // regular SSH
+		var auths []gossh.AuthMethod
+		if cfg.SSHKey != "" {
+			if signer, err := gossh.ParsePrivateKey([]byte(cfg.SSHKey)); err == nil {
+				auths = append(auths, gossh.PublicKeys(signer))
+			} else {
+				log.Debugf("ssh: parse netbird key for regular auth: %v", err)
+			}
+		}
+		if password != "" {
+			pw := password
+			auths = append(auths, gossh.Password(pw))
+			auths = append(auths, gossh.KeyboardInteractive(func(_, _ string, questions []string, _ []bool) ([]string, error) {
+				answers := make([]string, len(questions))
+				for i := range questions {
+					answers[i] = pw
+				}
+				return answers, nil
+			}))
+		}
+		if len(auths) == 0 {
+			return nil, nil, errors.New("no auth method available: provide a password or configure NetBird SSH key")
+		}
+		return auths, gossh.InsecureIgnoreHostKey(), nil // nolint:gosec // TOFU not yet implemented
+	}
+}
+
+func (s *SSHClient) requestJWTToken(cfg *profilemanager.Config) (string, error) {
+	// Reuse a cached token so the user is not forced through the browser OAuth
+	// flow on every reconnect. TTL comes from cfg.SSHJWTCacheTTL, same as the
+	// daemon's cache; unset/0 disables caching.
+	if token, ok := s.nb.sshJWTCache.Get(); ok {
+		log.Debug("SSH: reusing cached JWT token")
+		return token, nil
+	}
+
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	urlOpener := s.urlOpener
+	s.mu.Unlock()
+	if urlOpener == nil {
+		return "", errors.New("URL opener not configured for JWT auth")
+	}
+
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 5*time.Minute)
+	defer cancel()
+
+	flow, err := auth.NewOAuthFlow(ctx, cfg, false, true, profilemanager.GetLoginHint())
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("create oauth flow: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	flowInfo, err := flow.RequestAuthInfo(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("request auth info: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	go urlOpener.Open(flowInfo.VerificationURIComplete, flowInfo.UserCode)
+
+	tokenInfo, err := flow.WaitToken(ctx, flowInfo)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("wait for token: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	token := tokenInfo.GetTokenToUse()
+	if token == "" {
+		return "", errors.New("empty token returned by IdP")
+	}
+
+	if ttl := jwtcache.ResolveTTL(cfg.SSHJWTCacheTTL); ttl > 0 {
+		s.nb.sshJWTCache.Store(token, ttl)
+	}
+	return token, nil
+}
+
+func (s *SSHClient) dialAndHandshake(host string, port int, clientConfig *gossh.ClientConfig, dialer *net.Dialer) error {
+	addr := net.JoinHostPort(host, strconv.Itoa(port))
+	log.Infof("SSH: connecting to %s as %s", addr, clientConfig.User)
+
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), sshDialTimeout)
+	defer cancel()
+
+	conn, err := dialer.DialContext(ctx, "tcp", addr)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("dial %s: %w", addr, err)
+	}
+
+	sshConn, chans, reqs, err := gossh.NewClientConn(conn, addr, clientConfig)
+	if err != nil {
+		if cerr := conn.Close(); cerr != nil {
+			log.Debugf("ssh: close after handshake error: %v", cerr)
+		}
+		return fmt.Errorf("ssh handshake: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	s.sshClient = gossh.NewClient(sshConn, chans, reqs)
+	listener := s.listener
+	s.mu.Unlock()
+
+	log.Infof("SSH: connected to %s", addr)
+	if listener != nil {
+		listener.OnConnected()
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (s *SSHClient) readLoop(r io.Reader, name string) {
+	buf := make([]byte, 4096)
+	for {
+		n, err := r.Read(buf)
+		if n > 0 {
+			s.mu.Lock()
+			listener := s.listener
+			s.mu.Unlock()
+			if listener != nil {
+				chunk := make([]byte, n)
+				copy(chunk, buf[:n])
+				listener.OnData(chunk)
+			}
+		}
+		if err != nil {
+			if !errors.Is(err, io.EOF) {
+				log.Debugf("ssh %s read: %v", name, err)
+			}
+			s.notifyClose(err.Error())
+			return
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func (s *SSHClient) notifyClose(reason string) {
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	if s.closed {
+		s.mu.Unlock()
+		return
+	}
+	s.closed = true
+	listener := s.listener
+	s.mu.Unlock()
+	if listener != nil {
+		listener.OnClose(reason)
+	}
+}
+
+// engineHostKeyVerifier adapts *internal.Engine to nbssh.HostKeyVerifier.
+type engineHostKeyVerifier struct {
+	engine *internal.Engine
+}
+
+func (v *engineHostKeyVerifier) VerifySSHHostKey(peerAddress string, presented []byte) error {
+	storedKey, found := v.engine.GetPeerSSHKey(peerAddress)
+	if !found {
+		return nbssh.ErrPeerNotFound
+	}
+	return nbssh.VerifyHostKey(storedKey, presented, peerAddress)
+}
+
+func detectServerType(host string, port int, dialer *net.Dialer) detection.ServerType {
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), sshDetectionTimeout)
+	defer cancel()
+
+	serverType, err := detection.DetectSSHServerType(ctx, dialer, host, port)
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Debugf("ssh: server detection for %s:%d failed: %v (assuming regular SSH)", host, port, err)
+		return detection.ServerTypeRegular
+	}
+	return serverType
+}
+
+// makeWGDialer returns a net.Dialer whose sockets are bound to the WireGuard
+// interface (wgIface, e.g. "utun100"). This is required in the iOS Network
+// Extension process, where the OS deliberately excludes the provider's own
+// traffic from the VPN tunnel to prevent routing loops. Without binding to
+// the WireGuard interface, TCP connections to NetBird peer IPs (100.x.x.x
+// CGNAT space) would be sent over the physical network and fail with
+// "network is unreachable". Falls back to an unbound dialer if the interface
+// cannot be found (e.g. tunnel not yet up).
+func makeWGDialer(wgIface string, timeout time.Duration) *net.Dialer {
+	return &net.Dialer{
+		Timeout: timeout,
+		Control: func(network, address string, c syscall.RawConn) error {
+			iface, err := net.InterfaceByName(wgIface)
+			if err != nil {
+				log.Debugf("ssh: WG interface %q not found, dialing without bind: %v", wgIface, err)
+				return nil
+			}
+			var innerErr error
+			if ctrlErr := c.Control(func(fd uintptr) {
+				// IP_BOUND_IF (Darwin) = 25: binds the socket to a specific interface index.
+				innerErr = syscall.SetsockoptInt(int(fd), syscall.IPPROTO_IP, 25, iface.Index)
+			}); ctrlErr != nil {
+				return ctrlErr
+			}
+			if innerErr != nil {
+				log.Debugf("ssh: IP_BOUND_IF bind to %q failed: %v", wgIface, innerErr)
+			}
+			return innerErr
+		},
+	}
+}
+
+func closeQuiet(c io.Closer, label string) {
+	if c == nil {
+		return
+	}
+	if err := c.Close(); err != nil && !errors.Is(err, io.EOF) {
+		log.Debugf("ssh: close %s: %v", label, err)
+	}
+}

client/server/jwt_cache.go

@@ -1,79 +0,0 @@
-package server
-
-import (
-	"sync"
-	"time"
-
-	"github.com/awnumar/memguard"
-	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
-)
-
-type jwtCache struct {
-	mu           sync.RWMutex
-	enclave      *memguard.Enclave
-	expiresAt    time.Time
-	timer        *time.Timer
-	maxTokenSize int
-}
-
-func newJWTCache() *jwtCache {
-	return &jwtCache{
-		maxTokenSize: 8192,
-	}
-}
-
-func (c *jwtCache) store(token string, maxAge time.Duration) {
-	c.mu.Lock()
-	defer c.mu.Unlock()
-
-	c.cleanup()
-
-	if c.timer != nil {
-		c.timer.Stop()
-	}
-
-	tokenBytes := []byte(token)
-	c.enclave = memguard.NewEnclave(tokenBytes)
-
-	c.expiresAt = time.Now().Add(maxAge)
-
-	var timer *time.Timer
-	timer = time.AfterFunc(maxAge, func() {
-		c.mu.Lock()
-		defer c.mu.Unlock()
-		if c.timer != timer {
-			return
-		}
-		c.cleanup()
-		c.timer = nil
-		log.Debugf("JWT token cache expired after %v, securely wiped from memory", maxAge)
-	})
-	c.timer = timer
-}
-
-func (c *jwtCache) get() (string, bool) {
-	c.mu.RLock()
-	defer c.mu.RUnlock()
-
-	if c.enclave == nil || time.Now().After(c.expiresAt) {
-		return "", false
-	}
-
-	buffer, err := c.enclave.Open()
-	if err != nil {
-		log.Debugf("Failed to open JWT token enclave: %v", err)
-		return "", false
-	}
-	defer buffer.Destroy()
-
-	token := string(buffer.Bytes())
-	return token, true
-}
-
-// cleanup destroys the secure enclave, must be called with lock held
-func (c *jwtCache) cleanup() {
-	if c.enclave != nil {
-		c.enclave = nil
-	}
-	c.expiresAt = time.Time{}
-}

client/server/server.go

@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/profilemanager"
 	sleephandler "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/sleep/handler"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/mdm"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/ssh/jwtcache"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/system"
 	mgm "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/management/client"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/management/domain"
@@ -50,9 +51,6 @@ const (
 	defaultMaxRetryTime     = 14 * 24 * time.Hour
 	defaultRetryMultiplier  = 1.7
 
-	// JWT token cache TTL for the client daemon (disabled by default)
-	defaultJWTCacheTTL = 0
-
 	errRestoreResidualState   = "failed to restore residual state: %v"
 	errProfilesDisabled       = "profiles are disabled, you cannot use this feature without profiles enabled"
 	errUpdateSettingsDisabled = "update settings are disabled, you cannot use this feature without update settings enabled"
@@ -134,7 +132,7 @@ type Server struct {
 
 	updateManager *updater.Manager
 
-	jwtCache *jwtCache
+	jwtCache *jwtcache.Cache
 
 	// loginAttemptFn stands in for the Management login round trip. Tests set
 	// it to drive the login outcomes that need a server on the other end;
@@ -163,7 +161,7 @@ func New(ctx context.Context, logFile string, configFile string, profilesDisable
 		updateSettingsDisabled: updateSettingsDisabled,
 		captureEnabled:         captureEnabled,
 		networksDisabled:       networksDisabled,
-		jwtCache:               newJWTCache(),
+		jwtCache:               jwtcache.New(),
 		extendAuthSessionFlow:  auth.NewPendingFlow(),
 		probeThrottle:          newProbeThrottle(probeThreshold),
 	}
@@ -1670,19 +1668,11 @@ func (s *Server) getJWTCacheTTL() time.Duration {
 	config := s.config
 	s.mutex.Unlock()
 
-	if config == nil || config.SSHJWTCacheTTL == nil {
-		return defaultJWTCacheTTL
+	if config == nil {
+		return jwtcache.DefaultTTL
 	}
 
-	seconds := *config.SSHJWTCacheTTL
-	if seconds == 0 {
-		log.Debug("SSH JWT cache disabled (configured to 0)")
-		return 0
-	}
-
-	ttl := time.Duration(seconds) * time.Second
-	log.Debugf("SSH JWT cache TTL set to %v from config", ttl)
-	return ttl
+	return jwtcache.ResolveTTL(config.SSHJWTCacheTTL)
 }
 
 // RequestJWTAuth initiates JWT authentication flow for SSH
@@ -1704,7 +1694,7 @@ func (s *Server) RequestJWTAuth(
 
 	jwtCacheTTL := s.getJWTCacheTTL()
 	if jwtCacheTTL > 0 {
-		if cachedToken, found := s.jwtCache.get(); found {
+		if cachedToken, found := s.jwtCache.Get(); found {
 			log.Debugf("JWT token found in cache, returning cached token for SSH authentication")
 
 			return &proto.RequestJWTAuthResponse{
@@ -1777,7 +1767,7 @@ func (s *Server) WaitJWTToken(
 
 	jwtCacheTTL := s.getJWTCacheTTL()
 	if jwtCacheTTL > 0 {
-		s.jwtCache.store(token, jwtCacheTTL)
+		s.jwtCache.Store(token, jwtCacheTTL)
 		log.Debugf("JWT token cached for SSH authentication, TTL: %v", jwtCacheTTL)
 	} else {
 		log.Debug("JWT caching disabled, not storing token")

client/ssh/jwtcache/cache.go

@@ -0,0 +1,109 @@
+// Package jwtcache provides an in-memory, TTL-bound cache for SSH JWT tokens.
+// The token is kept in a secure memguard enclave and wiped from memory when it
+// expires. It is shared by the daemon gRPC server and the mobile SDKs, which
+// have no daemon process to delegate caching to.
+package jwtcache
+
+import (
+	"sync"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/awnumar/memguard"
+	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
+)
+
+// DefaultTTL is used when no TTL is configured: caching disabled.
+const DefaultTTL = 0
+
+// Cache stores a single JWT token in a secure enclave until it expires.
+type Cache struct {
+	mu           sync.RWMutex
+	enclave      *memguard.Enclave
+	expiresAt    time.Time
+	timer        *time.Timer
+	maxTokenSize int
+}
+
+// New creates an empty Cache.
+func New() *Cache {
+	return &Cache{
+		maxTokenSize: 8192,
+	}
+}
+
+// Store caches the token for maxAge. A previously stored token is wiped.
+func (c *Cache) Store(token string, maxAge time.Duration) {
+	c.mu.Lock()
+	defer c.mu.Unlock()
+
+	c.cleanup()
+
+	if c.timer != nil {
+		c.timer.Stop()
+	}
+
+	tokenBytes := []byte(token)
+	c.enclave = memguard.NewEnclave(tokenBytes)
+
+	c.expiresAt = time.Now().Add(maxAge)
+
+	var timer *time.Timer
+	timer = time.AfterFunc(maxAge, func() {
+		c.mu.Lock()
+		defer c.mu.Unlock()
+		if c.timer != timer {
+			return
+		}
+		c.cleanup()
+		c.timer = nil
+		log.Debugf("JWT token cache expired after %v, securely wiped from memory", maxAge)
+	})
+	c.timer = timer
+}
+
+// Get returns the cached token, or false if none is stored or it has expired.
+func (c *Cache) Get() (string, bool) {
+	c.mu.RLock()
+	defer c.mu.RUnlock()
+
+	if c.enclave == nil || time.Now().After(c.expiresAt) {
+		return "", false
+	}
+
+	buffer, err := c.enclave.Open()
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Debugf("Failed to open JWT token enclave: %v", err)
+		return "", false
+	}
+	defer buffer.Destroy()
+
+	token := string(buffer.Bytes())
+	return token, true
+}
+
+// cleanup destroys the secure enclave, must be called with lock held
+func (c *Cache) cleanup() {
+	if c.enclave != nil {
+		c.enclave = nil
+	}
+	c.expiresAt = time.Time{}
+}
+
+// ResolveTTL converts the configured TTL (seconds, from
+// profilemanager.Config.SSHJWTCacheTTL) into a duration. Returns DefaultTTL
+// when unset; 0 means caching is disabled.
+func ResolveTTL(configuredSeconds *int) time.Duration {
+	if configuredSeconds == nil {
+		return DefaultTTL
+	}
+
+	seconds := *configuredSeconds
+	if seconds == 0 {
+		log.Debug("SSH JWT cache disabled (configured to 0)")
+		return 0
+	}
+
+	ttl := time.Duration(seconds) * time.Second
+	log.Debugf("SSH JWT cache TTL set to %v from config", ttl)
+	return ttl
+}