freebsd-version -kru
# Disable PF pfctl -d
pfctl: pf configuration incompatible with pf program version
strings /sbin/pfctl | grep -i "pf version"
This message typically appears when running pfctl (the Packet Filter control program) to load or validate a firewall ruleset. It signals a critical mismatch between the userland utilities (the compiler and control tools) and the in-kernel Packet Filter module. In simpler terms, the tool you are using to talk to the firewall speaks a different language than the firewall kernel module listening for instructions. pf configuration incompatible with pf program version
If you manually compile a new kernel or install a third-party firewall management application, your user-space tool ( pfctl ) might be out of sync with the kernel space module ( pf ). If pfctl attempts to send configuration structures that the kernel no longer recognizes, the system aborts the load sequence. 3. Importing Rules Across Platforms
Can you share the exact of your pfctl -nf /etc/pf.conf command? Share public link
What is the output when you run the test command pfctl -nf /etc/pf.conf ? I can provide the exact commands for your specific system. Share public link
. This mismatch typically occurs after a partial system update where the userland tools ) are out of sync. FreeBSD Bugzilla Primary Causes of Version Incompatibility Mismatched Kernel and Userland freebsd-version -kru # Disable PF pfctl -d pfctl:
If you recently updated your operating system via a package manager or source tree, ensure that you completed the final reboot step to initialize the new kernel. A system running an old kernel with new userland binaries will trigger this exact incompatibility error. 3. Identify and Update Deprecated Syntax
To avoid experiencing sudden firewall failures during automated maintenance or future upgrades, implement these defensive administration habits:
Packet Filter uses a configuration file (usually /etc/pf.conf ) parsed by the pfctl utility and loaded into the operating system kernel. Over time, the developers of PF introduce new syntax features, deprecate older keywords, or alter how internal tables and state mechanisms operate.
Follow these steps to find and fix the incompatible lines in your configuration file. 1. Test the Configuration File If you manually compile a new kernel or
Use absolute paths ( /sbin/pfctl ) to rule out an environment path issue.
rules from OpenBSD on an older FreeBSD version that doesn't support them). Third-Party Interruption : Security software like that interacts with
After reboot, both kernel and userland come from the same installed world. Verify: