WireGuard Logging

Logging WireGuard tunnel setup using packet filter rules

New article: 02.2025

notempty

This article refers to a Beta version

-

Introduction

Unfortunately, the WireGuard protocol itself does not offer any logging options. However, it is still possible to track which IP addresses have connected or attempted to connect via WireGuard on the UTM. This can be achieved using a packet filter rule. The implicit rules for WireGuard are deactivated and a packet filter rule is created instead, which can then be logged.
In addition, the WireGuard widget can be used to monitor when clients last successfully logged in using the "Last Handshake" column. However, this column is only visible if the widget is at least 2 columns wide.

Replace implicit rules with packet filter rules

Disable implicit rules

WireGuard UTMuser@firewall.name.fqdnVPN Restart WireGuard Disable implicit rules

The WireGuard Implicit Rules can be disabled at the bottom of using the Implicit Rule Status: button.

The rules are disabled when the status indicator is gray ().

Create packet filter rule

Then, under Firewall Packet Filter button Add Rule, a new rule is created that not only enables the VPN connection itself, but also logs the connections.
Caption	Value	Description	Add rule UTMuser@firewall.name.fqdnFirewallPacket filter Create packet filter rule Add service UTMuser@firewall.name.fqdnFirewallServices Create new service
Source:	internet	Select Internet as the source
Destination:	external-interface	Select external-interface as the destination
Service:	Add service	A new service must be created that opens the listening port of the WireGuard connection (usually 51820) with UDP.
	Name: WireGuard	Name of the new service
	Protocol: udp	Select UDP as protocol
	Protocol type:	Must be left blank
	Destination port type: Single portPort Section	Select single port
	Destination port: 51820	The listening port of the WireGuard connection May differ from 51820!
	Source port type: AllSingle port Port Section
		Create service and close dialog
	WireGuard	Select the new service
LOG
Logging:	LONG - log everything	Have everything logged
Log Alias:	WG-Log	Set log alias to better identify log entries

Read log

Packet filter log Now you can open the log using the Package filter log

under in the newly created package filter rule

button. This shows the IP addresses from which a connection attempt was made.