[GH-ISSUE #5200] failed to verify certificate when downloading geoip from pkgs.netbird.io #10950

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opened 2026-08-05 01:27:49 -04:00 by saavagebueno · 3 comments
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Originally created by @hexclann on GitHub (Jan 28, 2026).
Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/netbirdio/netbird/issues/5200

Describe the problem

Unable to download, geoip database because of restricted environment.

2026-01-28T05:44:25Z FATL management/internals/server/modules.go:42: could not initialize geolocation service: failed to get database filename: Head "https://pkgs.netbird.io/geolocation-dbs/GeoLite2-City/download?suffix=tar.gz": tls: failed to verify certificate: x509: certificate signed by unknown authority

Im trying to deploy netbird in a AWS EC2 VM. We have PaloAlto firewall enabled for the whole AWS environment. This requires us to install a certificate from them to intercept the traffic.

For all the connection, it uses that certificate. For example, the curl command works:

curl -L -vv https://pkgs.netbird.io/geolocation-dbs/GeoLite2-City/download?suffix=tar.gz -o test.tar.gz

05:52:28.297187 [0-0] * ALPN: server accepted http/1.1
05:52:28.297247 [0-0] * Server certificate:
05:52:28.297306 [0-0] *  subject: CN=pkgs.netbird.io
05:52:28.297365 [0-0] *  start date: Jan 23 05:51:48 2026 GMT
05:52:28.297425 [0-0] *  expire date: Apr 23 05:51:47 2026 GMT
05:52:28.297487 [0-0] *  subjectAltName: host "pkgs.netbird.io" matched cert's "pkgs.netbird.io"
05:52:28.297553 [0-0] *  issuer: C=US; O=org; OU=mycompany; CN=nonprod-fws.mycompany.org
05:52:28.297609 [0-0] *  SSL certificate verify ok.

To Reproduce

Steps to reproduce the behavior:

  1. Download the get-started script for selfhosting netbird.
  2. Run the script which will launch the containers
  3. But after sometime, an error appears which is FATAL and container launch fails
 2026-01-28T05:44:25Z FATL management/internals/server/modules.go:42: could not initialize geolocation service: failed to get database filename: Head "https://pkgs.netbird.io/geolocation-dbs/GeoLite2-City/download?suffix=tar.gz": tls: failed to verify certificate: x509: certificate signed by unknown authority

This can be reproduced when having a Palo Alto Panorama certificate installed. I have not tried with any other certificate. This error cannot be override and makes netbird impossible to deploy.

Expected behavior

Netbird deployment should work. Option to bypass strict certificate check should be provided.

Are you using NetBird Cloud?

No

NetBird version

NA

Is any other VPN software installed?

No

Debug output

To help us resolve the problem, please attach the following anonymized status output

Netbird not yet deployed.

Create and upload a debug bundle, and share the returned file key:

netbird debug for 1m -AS -U

Netbird not yet deployed.

Uploaded files are automatically deleted after 30 days.

Alternatively, create the file only and attach it here manually:

Netbird not yet deployed.

Screenshots

NA

Additional context

Add any other context about the problem here.

Have you tried these troubleshooting steps?

  • Reviewed client troubleshooting (if applicable)
  • Checked for newer NetBird versions
  • Searched for similar issues on GitHub (including closed ones)
  • Restarted the NetBird client
  • Disabled other VPN software
  • Checked firewall settings: Firewall cannot be disabled
Originally created by @hexclann on GitHub (Jan 28, 2026). Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/netbirdio/netbird/issues/5200 **Describe the problem** Unable to download, geoip database because of restricted environment. 2026-01-28T05:44:25Z FATL management/internals/server/modules.go:42: could not initialize geolocation service: failed to get database filename: Head "https://pkgs.netbird.io/geolocation-dbs/GeoLite2-City/download?suffix=tar.gz": tls: failed to verify certificate: x509: certificate signed by unknown authority Im trying to deploy netbird in a AWS EC2 VM. We have PaloAlto firewall enabled for the whole AWS environment. This requires us to install a certificate from them to intercept the traffic. For all the connection, it uses that certificate. For example, the curl command works: `curl -L -vv https://pkgs.netbird.io/geolocation-dbs/GeoLite2-City/download?suffix=tar.gz -o test.tar.gz` ``` 05:52:28.297187 [0-0] * ALPN: server accepted http/1.1 05:52:28.297247 [0-0] * Server certificate: 05:52:28.297306 [0-0] * subject: CN=pkgs.netbird.io 05:52:28.297365 [0-0] * start date: Jan 23 05:51:48 2026 GMT 05:52:28.297425 [0-0] * expire date: Apr 23 05:51:47 2026 GMT 05:52:28.297487 [0-0] * subjectAltName: host "pkgs.netbird.io" matched cert's "pkgs.netbird.io" 05:52:28.297553 [0-0] * issuer: C=US; O=org; OU=mycompany; CN=nonprod-fws.mycompany.org 05:52:28.297609 [0-0] * SSL certificate verify ok. ``` **To Reproduce** Steps to reproduce the behavior: 1. Download the get-started script for selfhosting netbird. 2. Run the script which will launch the containers 3. But after sometime, an error appears which is FATAL and container launch fails ``` 2026-01-28T05:44:25Z FATL management/internals/server/modules.go:42: could not initialize geolocation service: failed to get database filename: Head "https://pkgs.netbird.io/geolocation-dbs/GeoLite2-City/download?suffix=tar.gz": tls: failed to verify certificate: x509: certificate signed by unknown authority ``` This can be reproduced when having a Palo Alto Panorama certificate installed. I have not tried with any other certificate. This error cannot be override and makes netbird impossible to deploy. **Expected behavior** Netbird deployment should work. Option to bypass strict certificate check should be provided. **Are you using NetBird Cloud?** No **NetBird version** NA **Is any other VPN software installed?** No **Debug output** To help us resolve the problem, please attach the following anonymized status output Netbird not yet deployed. Create and upload a debug bundle, and share the returned file key: netbird debug for 1m -AS -U Netbird not yet deployed. *Uploaded files are automatically deleted after 30 days.* Alternatively, create the file only and attach it here manually: Netbird not yet deployed. **Screenshots** NA **Additional context** Add any other context about the problem here. **Have you tried these troubleshooting steps?** - [x] Reviewed [client troubleshooting](https://docs.netbird.io/how-to/troubleshooting-client) (if applicable) - [x] Checked for newer NetBird versions - [x] Searched for similar issues on GitHub (including closed ones) - [x] Restarted the NetBird client - [x] Disabled other VPN software - [x] Checked firewall settings: Firewall cannot be disabled
saavagebueno added the triage-needed label 2026-08-05 01:27:49 -04:00
Author
Owner

@braginini commented on GitHub (Jan 28, 2026):

Thats probably something to discuss with Palo Alto @hexclann

But we will see what we can do about it. Mind pinging Misha on NetBird’s slack?

<!-- gh-comment-id:3809695624 --> @braginini commented on GitHub (Jan 28, 2026): Thats probably something to discuss with Palo Alto @hexclann But we will see what we can do about it. Mind pinging Misha on NetBird’s slack?
Author
Owner

@hexclann commented on GitHub (Jan 28, 2026):

It looks like there is an option to disable geoip init 2248ff392f/management/internals/server/modules.go (L30) but even after setting the

NB_DISABLE_GEOLOCATION=true in the getting-started script, it is still trying to download the geoip db. Am I using it wrong?

<!-- gh-comment-id:3810462186 --> @hexclann commented on GitHub (Jan 28, 2026): It looks like there is an option to disable geoip init https://github.com/netbirdio/netbird/blob/2248ff392f659f4e941d8f337683f8e2344c60de/management/internals/server/modules.go#L30 but even after setting the `NB_DISABLE_GEOLOCATION=true` in the getting-started script, it is still trying to download the geoip db. Am I using it wrong?
Author
Owner

@anudeepND commented on GitHub (Jan 30, 2026):

@braginini facing similar issue in my deployment. Was having my own fix as a workaround, i made some changes now and created a MR so that it can be beneficial for other users

<!-- gh-comment-id:3822401293 --> @anudeepND commented on GitHub (Jan 30, 2026): @braginini facing similar issue in my deployment. Was having my own fix as a workaround, i made some changes now and created a MR so that it can be beneficial for other users
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Reference: DYNR/netbird#10950