Ollama binds to 0.0.0.0 by default on port 11434. That means if you're running it on a VPS or home server, your entire model API is publicly accessible — no authentication required.
Here's what to check before your Ollama instance becomes someone else's free GPU.
1. Ollama port exposed via Docker
If you're running Ollama in Docker with:
ports: "11434:11434"
That binding bypasses UFW entirely. Docker inserts rules directly into iptables PREROUTING — before UFW even sees the traffic.
The fix:
ports: "127.0.0.1:11434:11434"
Or skip the port mapping entirely and use Docker's internal network if only other containers need access.
2. UFW showing blocked but port still open
Run: curl http://your-server-ip:11434
If you get a response, your Ollama API is public regardless of what UFW status shows.
Paste your ufw status verbose output and check for IPv4/IPv6 mismatches — a common gap that leaves ports open on one protocol.
3. Cron jobs colliding with model pulls
Scheduled model pulls + backup jobs firing at the same time = server load spike = hung process. Visualize your full cron timeline before adding Ollama maintenance tasks.
4. SSL not covering your Ollama web interface
If you're proxying Open WebUI or any Ollama frontend through Nginx or Traefik — that cert will expire. Check expiry across all your domains at once, not just the main one.
5. Dependencies in your Ollama extensions
Building custom tools or scripts on top of Ollama? Your requirements.txt or package.json has CVEs you don't know about — the OSV database updates daily and AI training data is always stale.
The tools
ConfigClarity — Docker, firewall, cron, SSL, reverse proxy audits. Paste your config, get the exact fix. No signup, nothing leaves your browser.
https://configclarity.dev
PackageFix — Paste your manifest, get a fixed version back. Live CVE scan via OSV + CISA KEV.
https://packagefix.dev
Both MIT licensed, open source, client-side only.
Running Ollama on a VPS or home server? What's your current setup for keeping the API locked down?
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