We have an application which is written in Swift, which activates network extension (Transparent Proxy). We want to use MDM deployment for this network system extension.
Our Transparent Proxy module is a system extension, which is exposing an app proxy provider interface (We are using NETransparentProxyProvider class and in extension’s Info.plist we use com.apple.networkextension.app-proxy key.) We don’t have any remote server setup to forward the traffic, instead we open a connection with a certain localhost:port to redirect the traffic which is received in our transparent proxy. We have another module that listens to the particular localhost:port to process the traffic further.
As per https://developer.apple.com/documentation/devicemanagement/vpn/transparentproxy documentation, we noticed that we can use the VPN payload with app-proxy as Provider Type for Transparent Proxy.
We were able to install the profile created via Jamf Pro and also while in stalling our product the Transparent Proxy gets mapped with the one which is installed via profile. However after that the network is broken and hence unable to browse anything. We are suspecting the remote server filed is causing this.
So we tried creating the custom profile without remote server address for VPN payload, but we are unable to install the profile. It throws below error:
2025-02-11 16:43:55.193348+0530 0x2f880 Error 0x0 6815 0 mdmclient: (NetworkExtension) [com.apple.networkextension:] Failed to save configuration DGWebProxy because it is invalid: Error Domain=NEConfigurationErrorDomain Code=2 "configuration is invalid: Missing server address" UserInfo={NSLocalizedDescription=configuration is invalid: Missing server address}
2025-02-11 16:43:55.193376+0530 0x2f880 Error 0x0 6815 0 mdmclient: (NetworkExtension) [com.apple.networkextension:] NEProfileIngestion Error occurred when saving configuration 'DGWebProxy': configuration is invalid: configuration is invalid: Missing server address
2025-02-11 16:43:55.196159+0530 0x2f880 Error 0x0 6815 7 mdmclient: [com.apple.ManagedClient:CPDomainPlugIn] [ERROR] [0:MDMDaemon:CPDomainPlugIn:<0x2f880>] <<<<< PlugIn: InstallPayload [NEProfileIngestionPlugin] Error: Error Domain=ConfigProfilePluginDomain Code=-319 "The ‘VPN Service’ payload could not be installed. The VPN service could not be created." UserInfo={NSLocalizedDescription=The ‘VPN Service’ payload could not be installed. The VPN service could not be created.} <<<<<
2025-02-11 16:43:55.196826+0530 0x2f880 Error 0x0 6815 7 mdmclient: [com.apple.ManagedClient:MDMDaemon] [ERROR] [0:MDMDaemon:<0x2f880>] [CE] PlugIn_InstallPayload ==> Error Domain=ConfigProfilePluginDomain Code=-319 "The ‘VPN Service’ payload could not be installed. The VPN service could not be created." UserInfo={NSLocalizedDescription=The ‘VPN Service’ payload could not be installed. The VPN service could not be created.}
Can we create MDM profile for Transparent Proxy without remote server address?
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We have an application which is written in Swift, which activates two network extensions (Content Filter, Transparent Proxy). We want to use MDM deployment for these network system extensions.
For Content Filter, we already have Jamf Profile which has Web Content Filter payload and it works fine.
Our Transparent Proxy module is a system extension, which is exposing an app proxy provider interface (We are using NETransparentProxyProvider class and in extension’s Info.plist we use com.apple.networkextension.app-proxy key.) We don’t have any remote server setup to forward the traffic, instead we open a connection with a certain localhost:port to redirect the traffic which is received in our transparent proxy. We have another module that listens to the particular localhost:port to process the traffic further.
We are unable to find the appropriate payload in any of the Profile Editor applications like Apple Configurator, iMazing Profile Editor and Jamf Pro that correctly describes our setup.
As per https://developer.apple.com/documentation/devicemanagement/vpn/transparentproxy documentation, we noticed that we can use the VPN payload with app-proxy as Provider Type for Transparent Proxy.
Here are the list of issues encountered with different MDM solutions.
**AppleConfigurator: **
We were able to install the profile created via Apple Configurator. However when we install our product (which has the above mentioned system extensions), the Transparent Proxy added by our product fails to map with the installed profile. User has to provide the credentials and follow the steps while installing the extension via the product.
Attached the screenshot of "Network->Filters" screen and the profile for reference.
Profile Created using Apple Configurator
iMazing Profile Editor:
Unable to install the profile created using iMazing Profile Editor.
Attached the screenshot of error and the profile for reference:
Profile Created Using iMazing Profile Editor
Jamf Pro:
We were able to install the profile created via Jamf Pro and also while in stalling our product the Transparent Proxy gets mapped with the one which is installed via profile. However after that the network is broken and hence unable to browse anything.
Attached the profile for reference.
Profile Created using Jamf Pro
What should be the correct profile payload to use for our Transparent Proxy?
We have an application, which activates two network extensions (Content Filter, Transparent Proxy) during app launch which is written in Swift.
When we are activating multiple network extensions under the same app bundle, in Ventura and Sonoma, under Privacy and Security it shows "Details" button. On click of it we see below issues:
- It shows the app bundle name instead of respective network extension bundle name.
- On click of OK button, it adds only one extension under "Network -> Filters -> Filters & VPN" and only after machine restart, we can see both the extensions under this screen.
These issues are not seen in Sequoia. In Sequoia, it shows the extension names under the app name. There are separate controls to enable/add each of the extension.
Attached the screenshots of Sonoma and Sequoia for reference
Already submitted the feedback ticket. (FB16331169)