Create Shared Folder In Whonix On Ubuntu 24.04 LTS

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Creating a shared folder between your host operating system (Ubuntu 24.04 LTS in this case) and your Whonix virtual machines (Workstation and Gateway) can greatly simplify file transfer and management. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process step-by-step, ensuring you can seamlessly share files between your host and Whonix environment. We will cover everything from installing necessary packages to configuring the shared folder settings in VirtualBox and within the Whonix VMs.

Prerequisites

Before we begin, ensure you have the following:

  • Ubuntu 24.04 LTS installed and running.
  • VirtualBox installed and configured.
  • Whonix Gateway and Whonix Workstation virtual machines set up in VirtualBox.
  • Basic familiarity with the Linux command line.

Step 1: Install VirtualBox Guest Additions on the Host System (Ubuntu 24.04 LTS)

While the VirtualBox Guest Additions are primarily installed within the guest VMs, having certain packages on the host system can facilitate smoother operation and better integration. Let's ensure these are installed on your Ubuntu host.

  1. Open a terminal on your Ubuntu 24.04 LTS host system.

  2. Update the package lists: Run the following command to update the package lists, ensuring you have the latest versions available.

    sudo apt update

  3. Install necessary packages: Install the required packages for VirtualBox Guest Additions on the host system.

    sudo apt install virtualbox-guest-utils virtualbox-guest-dkms

    These packages provide utilities and kernel modules that enhance the interaction between the host and guest systems.

Step 2: Install VirtualBox Guest Additions in Whonix Gateway and Workstation

Installing VirtualBox Guest Additions within both the Whonix Gateway and Workstation VMs is crucial for enabling shared folders and other advanced features. Follow these steps for each VM.

2.1: Start the Whonix Virtual Machine (Gateway or Workstation)

  1. Open VirtualBox on your Ubuntu host.
  2. Start either the Whonix Gateway or Workstation virtual machine. Log in using the default credentials (user: user, password: changeme).

2.2: Update and Upgrade the Whonix VM

Before installing the Guest Additions, it's important to update and upgrade the system to ensure you have the latest packages and security updates.

  1. Open a terminal in the Whonix VM.

  2. Update the package lists:

    sudo apt update

  3. Upgrade the installed packages:

    sudo apt full-upgrade

    This command performs a full upgrade, which may include kernel updates and other significant changes. It's recommended to use full-upgrade rather than upgrade in Whonix for comprehensive updates.

  4. Reboot the VM if a kernel update was installed. This ensures that the new kernel is running.

    sudo reboot

2.3: Install Required Packages for Building Guest Additions

To build the Guest Additions from the ISO image, you need to install certain packages that provide the necessary tools and headers.

  1. Open a terminal in the Whonix VM (after reboot if necessary).

  2. Install the required packages:

    sudo apt install build-essential linux-headers-$(uname -r)
    • build-essential provides essential tools for compiling software.
    • linux-headers-$(uname -r) provides the kernel headers necessary for building modules that match your current kernel version.

2.4: Insert the Guest Additions CD Image

  1. In the VirtualBox window for your Whonix VM, go to Devices > Insert Guest Additions CD image….
  2. This will mount the Guest Additions ISO image as a virtual CD-ROM drive within the VM.

2.5: Mount and Run the Guest Additions Installer

  1. Open a terminal in the Whonix VM.

  2. Create a mount point for the CD-ROM drive:

    sudo mkdir -p /media/cdrom

  3. Mount the CD-ROM drive:

    sudo mount /dev/cdrom /media/cdrom

  4. Navigate to the mounted directory:

    cd /media/cdrom

  5. Run the Guest Additions installer:

    sudo ./VBoxLinuxAdditions.run

    This will start the installation process. Follow any prompts that appear on the screen.

  6. Unmount the CD-ROM drive after the installation is complete:

    sudo umount /media/cdrom

  7. Eject the Guest Additions CD image from VirtualBox by going to Devices > Optical Drives > Remove disk from virtual drive.

2.6: Reboot the Whonix VM

To ensure the Guest Additions are fully loaded and functioning correctly, reboot the VM.

sudo reboot

2.7: Repeat for the Other Whonix VM

Repeat the entire process (Steps 2.1 through 2.6) for the other Whonix virtual machine (either Gateway or Workstation, whichever you didn't do yet).

Step 3: Configure Shared Folders in VirtualBox

Now that the Guest Additions are installed in both Whonix VMs, you can configure shared folders in VirtualBox. This will allow you to access files on your host system from within the Whonix VMs.

3.1: Open VirtualBox Settings for the VM

  1. Open VirtualBox on your Ubuntu host.
  2. Select the Whonix VM (Gateway or Workstation) you want to configure.
  3. Click on Settings in the VirtualBox toolbar.

3.2: Navigate to Shared Folders

In the VM settings dialog, go to the Shared Folders section.

3.3: Add a Shared Folder

  1. Click the Add shared folder icon (a folder with a plus sign) on the right side of the window.
  2. In the Add Share dialog:
    • Folder Path: Click the dropdown and choose Other… to browse to the directory on your host system you want to share. Select the folder.
    • Folder Name: VirtualBox will automatically suggest a name based on the path. You can change it if you like, but keep it simple and memorable.
    • Read-only: If you only want the Whonix VM to be able to read files from the shared folder (not write to it), check this box. Otherwise, leave it unchecked for full read/write access.
    • Auto-mount: Check this box to have the shared folder automatically mounted each time the VM starts.
    • Make Permanent: Check this box to make the shared folder configuration persistent across VM sessions.
  3. Click OK to add the shared folder.

3.4: Repeat for Other Shared Folders (if needed)

If you want to share additional folders, repeat Step 3.3 for each folder.

3.5: Repeat for the Other Whonix VM

Repeat the entire process (Steps 3.1 through 3.4) for the other Whonix virtual machine.

Step 4: Mount the Shared Folder in the Whonix VM

Even with Auto-mount enabled, it's often necessary to manually mount the shared folder within the Whonix VM for it to be accessible. Here’s how:

4.1: Start the Whonix VM

  1. Start the Whonix VM (Gateway or Workstation) in VirtualBox.
  2. Log in to the VM.

4.2: Create a Mount Point (if needed)

If you don't already have a directory to mount the shared folder to, create one. A common location is under /mnt. For example:

sudo mkdir -p /mnt/shared

This creates a directory named shared under /mnt. You can choose a different name and location if you prefer.

4.3: Mount the Shared Folder

Use the mount command to mount the shared folder. The syntax is:

sudo mount -t vboxsf <shared_folder_name> <mount_point>
  • <shared_folder_name> is the name you gave the shared folder in VirtualBox (e.g., whonix_shared).
  • <mount_point> is the directory where you want to mount the shared folder (e.g., /mnt/shared).

For example, if your shared folder name is whonix_shared and you created a mount point at /mnt/shared, the command would be:

sudo mount -t vboxsf whonix_shared /mnt/shared

4.4: Access the Shared Folder

Once the shared folder is mounted, you can access it like any other directory in the VM. For example, to list the contents of the shared folder, you would use:

ls /mnt/shared

4.5: Make the Mount Permanent (Optional)

If you want the shared folder to be automatically mounted every time you start the VM, you need to add an entry to the /etc/fstab file. This file controls which file systems are mounted at boot time.

Warning: Incorrectly editing /etc/fstab can prevent your system from booting. Be very careful and double-check your entries.

  1. Open /etc/fstab for editing with root privileges:

    sudo nano /etc/fstab

  2. Add a line for the shared folder: At the end of the file, add a line with the following format:

    <shared_folder_name>  <mount_point>  vboxsf  defaults  0  0

    For example:

    whonix_shared  /mnt/shared  vboxsf  defaults  0  0

  3. Save the file and exit the editor.

  4. Test the entry: Mount all file systems listed in /etc/fstab to check for errors:

    sudo mount -a

    If there are no errors, the shared folder should be mounted. If there are errors, carefully review your /etc/fstab entry and correct any mistakes.

4.6: Repeat for the Other Whonix VM

Repeat the entire process (Steps 4.1 through 4.5) for the other Whonix virtual machine if needed.

Step 5: Troubleshooting Shared Folders

Sometimes, shared folders may not work as expected. Here are some common issues and their solutions:

  • Shared folder not visible:
    • Ensure Guest Additions are properly installed in both the Whonix Gateway and Workstation VMs.
    • Verify that the shared folder is configured correctly in VirtualBox settings for the VM.
    • Check if the shared folder is mounted in the VM using mount | grep vboxsf. If not, try manually mounting it as described in Step 4.
    • Make sure the user in the Whonix VM has the necessary permissions to access the mount point.
  • Permissions issues:
    • By default, files and directories created in the shared folder within the VM may be owned by the vboxsf group. You may need to adjust permissions to allow your user account to read and write files.
    • You can use the chown and chmod commands to change the ownership and permissions of files and directories in the shared folder.
  • Auto-mounting not working:
    • Double-check the entry in /etc/fstab for typos or errors.
    • Ensure the vboxsf file system type is correctly specified.
    • Verify that the mount point exists.
  • Guest Additions not installing:
    • Make sure you have the necessary build tools and kernel headers installed (as described in Step 2.3).
    • Check the VirtualBox logs for any error messages.
    • Try reinstalling Guest Additions.

Conclusion

By following these detailed steps, you should now be able to successfully create and use shared folders between your Ubuntu 24.04 LTS host system and your Whonix virtual machines. This will greatly simplify file management and improve the overall usability of your Whonix environment. Remember to always prioritize security and be mindful of the files you share between your host and VMs. Properly configured shared folders can significantly enhance your workflow while maintaining a secure and isolated environment for your sensitive activities within Whonix.

This comprehensive guide covers every aspect of setting up shared folders, from installing the necessary packages and software to configuring the shared folders in VirtualBox and within the Whonix VMs. It also provides troubleshooting tips for common issues, ensuring that you have a smooth and secure experience sharing files between your host system and Whonix environment. Always remember to prioritize security and be mindful of the files you share to maintain a secure and isolated environment for your sensitive activities within Whonix. By following these steps, you can optimize your workflow and enhance the usability of your Whonix setup.