diff --git a/Dockerfile b/Dockerfile
index 07670fa..e32b1a0 100644
--- a/Dockerfile
+++ b/Dockerfile
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 # syntax=docker/dockerfile:1
-FROM golang:1.24-alpine AS builder
+FROM golang:1.25-alpine AS builder
 
 RUN apk add --no-cache git
 
@@ -18,24 +18,32 @@ RUN CGO_ENABLED=0 go build -ldflags="-s -w -X github.com/nixc/reverse-ssh-traefi
 # --- Server image ---
 FROM alpine:3.21 AS server
 
-RUN apk add --no-cache ca-certificates
+RUN apk add --no-cache ca-certificates \
+	&& addgroup -S tunnel \
+	&& adduser -S -D -H -u 10001 -G tunnel tunnel \
+	&& mkdir -p /keys /etc/traefik/dynamic \
+	&& chown -R tunnel:tunnel /keys /etc/traefik/dynamic
 
 COPY --from=builder /tunnel-server /usr/local/bin/tunnel-server
 
-RUN mkdir -p /keys /etc/traefik/dynamic
-
 EXPOSE 2222
 EXPOSE 10000-10100
 
+USER tunnel
+
 ENTRYPOINT ["tunnel-server"]
 
 # --- Client image ---
 FROM alpine:3.21 AS client
 
-RUN apk add --no-cache ca-certificates
+RUN apk add --no-cache ca-certificates \
+	&& addgroup -S tunnel \
+	&& adduser -S -D -H -u 10001 -G tunnel tunnel \
+	&& mkdir -p /keys \
+	&& chown -R tunnel:tunnel /keys
 
 COPY --from=builder /tunnel-client /usr/local/bin/tunnel-client
 
-RUN mkdir -p /keys
+USER tunnel
 
 ENTRYPOINT ["tunnel-client"]
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 424c96c..25db0cc 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -113,6 +113,9 @@ docker run -d \
 | `TRAEFIK_SSH_HOST` | Traefik host to SSH into **(required)** | - |
 | `TRAEFIK_SSH_USER` | SSH user on the Traefik host | `root` |
 | `TRAEFIK_SSH_KEY` | SSH key for Traefik host (path or PEM) **(required)** | - |
+| `TRAEFIK_SSH_KNOWN_HOSTS` | known_hosts file for verifying the Traefik SSH host; auto-detects `/keys/traefik_known_hosts` or `/keys/known_hosts` when present | (none) |
+| `TRAEFIK_SSH_STRICT_HOST_KEY` | Fail startup if the Traefik SSH host cannot be verified from known_hosts | `false` |
+| `SSH_MAX_AUTH_TRIES` | Max SSH auth attempts per tunnel-client connection | `3` |
 | `TRAEFIK_ENTRYPOINT` | Traefik entrypoint name | `websecure` |
 | `TRAEFIK_CERT_RESOLVER` | Traefik TLS cert resolver | `letsencryptresolver` |
 | `PURGE_STALE_LABELS_ON_START` | Remove all managed tunnel labels during startup; normally leave disabled so routes survive restarts | `false` |
@@ -127,6 +130,8 @@ docker run -d \
 | `TUNNEL_DOMAIN` | Public domain to expose **(required)** | - |
 | `TUNNEL_PORT` | Local port of your service | `8080` |
 | `TUNNEL_KEY` | SSH private key — file path or raw PEM **(required)** | `/keys/id_ed25519` |
+| `TUNNEL_KNOWN_HOSTS` | known_hosts file for verifying `TUNNEL_SERVER`; auto-detects `/keys/known_hosts` when present | (none) |
+| `TUNNEL_STRICT_HOST_KEY` | Fail startup if `TUNNEL_SERVER` cannot be verified from known_hosts | `false` |
 | `TUNNEL_AUTH_USER` | Optional HTTP Basic auth username (tunnel ingress) | (none) |
 | `TUNNEL_AUTH_PASS` | Optional HTTP Basic auth password | (none) |
 | `TUNNEL_LABELS` | Optional custom Traefik labels for this tunnel, as JSON or newline/semicolon-separated `key=value` entries | (none) |
@@ -134,6 +139,50 @@ docker run -d \
 
 Set `TUNNEL_AUTH_USER` / `TUNNEL_AUTH_PASS` via an env file; never commit passwords.
 
+### SSH security posture
+
+The tunnel client, tunnel server, and server-to-Traefik SSH client all use
+`golang.org/x/crypto/ssh` supported algorithms only, excluding legacy SHA-1-era
+algorithm sets returned by `ssh.InsecureAlgorithms()`. The server also limits
+client auth attempts with `SSH_MAX_AUTH_TRIES` (default `3`).
+
+The Docker images run as non-root UID/GID `10001`. Mounted private keys and
+known_hosts files must be readable by that user, for example by using a readable
+group, ACL, Docker secret mode, or a deployment-specific `user:` override while
+file ownership is being migrated.
+
+For host authenticity, mount known_hosts files and enable strict mode:
+
+```yaml
+services:
+  tunnel-client:
+    environment:
+      TUNNEL_KNOWN_HOSTS: /keys/known_hosts
+      TUNNEL_STRICT_HOST_KEY: "true"
+    volumes:
+      - ./known_hosts:/keys/known_hosts:ro
+```
+
+Generate the client known_hosts entry from a trusted network path:
+
+```bash
+ssh-keyscan -p 2222 ingress.nixc.us > known_hosts
+```
+
+For the tunnel server's SSH connection to the Traefik/Swarm manager:
+
+```yaml
+environment:
+  TRAEFIK_SSH_KNOWN_HOSTS: /keys/traefik_known_hosts
+  TRAEFIK_SSH_STRICT_HOST_KEY: "true"
+volumes:
+  - ./traefik_known_hosts:/keys/traefik_known_hosts:ro
+```
+
+Without known_hosts, the code keeps a logged compatibility fallback so existing
+deployments continue to work, but it logs the unverified host fingerprint on
+each SSH connection. Treat strict known_hosts as the desired production mode.
+
 ### Custom client labels
 
 Clients can request extra Traefik labels for their own generated router, service,
diff --git a/archive/cmd-webdav/main.go b/archive/cmd-webdav/main.go
index fe43427..44924ba 100644
--- a/archive/cmd-webdav/main.go
+++ b/archive/cmd-webdav/main.go
@@ -1,21 +1,23 @@
 package main
 
 import (
+	"html"
 	"log"
 	"net/http"
 	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
+	"time"
 
 	"golang.org/x/net/webdav"
 )
 
 const (
 	rootDir = "/data"
-	addr   = ":80"
+	addr    = ":80"
 )
 
 func main() {
-	if err := os.MkdirAll(rootDir, 0o777); err != nil {
+	if err := os.MkdirAll(rootDir, 0o750); err != nil {
 		log.Fatalf("mkdir %s: %v", rootDir, err)
 	}
 	abs, err := filepath.Abs(rootDir)
@@ -34,10 +36,19 @@ func main() {
 		LockSystem: webdav.NewMemLS(),
 	}
 	// Wrap so GET / returns a simple page instead of 403 for directory
-	http.Handle("/", &rootGETWrapper{Handler: h})
+	mux := http.NewServeMux()
+	mux.Handle("/", &rootGETWrapper{Handler: h})
 
 	log.Printf("WebDAV listening on %s (root %s)", addr, abs)
-	if err := http.ListenAndServe(addr, nil); err != nil {
+	server := &http.Server{
+		Addr:              addr,
+		Handler:           mux,
+		ReadHeaderTimeout: 10 * time.Second,
+		ReadTimeout:       30 * time.Second,
+		WriteTimeout:      5 * time.Minute,
+		IdleTimeout:       2 * time.Minute,
+	}
+	if err := server.ListenAndServe(); err != nil {
 		log.Fatalf("listen: %v", err)
 	}
 }
@@ -51,11 +62,13 @@ func (w *rootGETWrapper) ServeHTTP(rw http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 	if r.Method == http.MethodGet && (r.URL.Path == "" || r.URL.Path == "/") {
 		rw.Header().Set("Content-Type", "text/html; charset=utf-8")
 		rw.WriteHeader(http.StatusOK)
-		host := r.Host
-		rw.Write([]byte(`<!DOCTYPE html><html><head><title>WebDAV</title></head><body><h1>WebDAV</h1>
+		host := html.EscapeString(r.Host)
+		if _, err := rw.Write([]byte(`<!DOCTYPE html><html><head><title>WebDAV</title></head><body><h1>WebDAV</h1>
 <h2>Mac</h2><p>Finder → Go → Connect to Server… (⌘K) → <code>https://` + host + `</code></p>
 <h2>Windows</h2><p>File Explorer → right-click This PC → Map network drive → Choose a drive letter → Folder: <code>https://` + host + `</code> → Finish (use the same login when prompted).</p>
-<p>Or: File Explorer → This PC → Computer tab → Map network drive.</p></body></html>`))
+<p>Or: File Explorer → This PC → Computer tab → Map network drive.</p></body></html>`)); err != nil {
+			log.Printf("write root response: %v", err)
+		}
 		return
 	}
 	w.Handler.ServeHTTP(rw, r)
diff --git a/archive/webdav/Dockerfile b/archive/webdav/Dockerfile
index da16ab9..a5ebbdd 100644
--- a/archive/webdav/Dockerfile
+++ b/archive/webdav/Dockerfile
@@ -1,15 +1,21 @@
 # Build context must be the repository root (see archive/docker-compose-*.yml).
-FROM golang:1.24-alpine AS build
+FROM golang:1.25-alpine AS build
 WORKDIR /app
 COPY go.mod go.sum ./
 RUN go mod download
 COPY . .
 RUN go build -o /webdav ./archive/cmd-webdav
 
-FROM alpine:3.20
-RUN apk add --no-cache ca-certificates
+FROM alpine:3.21
+RUN apk add --no-cache ca-certificates libcap \
+	&& addgroup -S webdav \
+	&& adduser -S -D -H -u 10001 -G webdav webdav \
+	&& mkdir -p /data \
+	&& chown -R webdav:webdav /data
 COPY archive/webdav/entrypoint.sh /entrypoint.sh
 RUN chmod +x /entrypoint.sh
 COPY --from=build /webdav /webdav
+RUN setcap cap_net_bind_service=+ep /webdav
 EXPOSE 80
+USER webdav
 ENTRYPOINT ["/entrypoint.sh"]
diff --git a/archive/webdav/entrypoint.sh b/archive/webdav/entrypoint.sh
index ee14060..759b198 100644
--- a/archive/webdav/entrypoint.sh
+++ b/archive/webdav/entrypoint.sh
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 #!/bin/sh
 set -e
 mkdir -p /data
-chmod 1777 /data
+chmod 1777 /data 2>/dev/null || true
 chmod -R a+rwX /data 2>/dev/null || true
 umask 0000
 exec /webdav
diff --git a/archive/woodpecker.yml b/archive/woodpecker.yml
index 3d399f6..da457b1 100644
--- a/archive/woodpecker.yml
+++ b/archive/woodpecker.yml
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ steps:
   # Build and test Go binaries
   test:
     name: test
-    image: golang:1.24-alpine
+    image: golang:1.25-alpine
     commands:
       - go version | cat
       - go vet ./...
diff --git a/cmd/client/main.go b/cmd/client/main.go
index c736b82..62462f6 100644
--- a/cmd/client/main.go
+++ b/cmd/client/main.go
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ import (
 
 	"github.com/nixc/reverse-ssh-traefik/internal/buildinfo"
 	"github.com/nixc/reverse-ssh-traefik/internal/client"
+	"github.com/nixc/reverse-ssh-traefik/internal/sshutil"
 )
 
 func envRequired(key string) string {
@@ -29,6 +30,19 @@ func envOr(key, fallback string) string {
 	return fallback
 }
 
+func envBool(key string, fallback bool) bool {
+	v := os.Getenv(key)
+	if v == "" {
+		return fallback
+	}
+	b, err := strconv.ParseBool(v)
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Printf("WARN: invalid %s=%q, using default %t", key, v, fallback)
+		return fallback
+	}
+	return b
+}
+
 func parseLabels(raw string) (map[string]string, error) {
 	raw = strings.TrimSpace(raw)
 	if raw == "" {
@@ -84,6 +98,7 @@ func loadCustomLabels() (map[string]string, error) {
 	labels := make(map[string]string)
 
 	if path := cleanHost(os.Getenv("TUNNEL_LABELS_FILE")); path != "" {
+		// #nosec G304 G703 -- operator-supplied local config file path.
 		data, err := os.ReadFile(path)
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, fmt.Errorf("read TUNNEL_LABELS_FILE %q: %w", path, err)
@@ -127,6 +142,7 @@ func cleanHost(s string) string {
 func resolveBackendHost() (host string, source string) {
 	path := cleanHost(os.Getenv("TUNNEL_HOST_FILE"))
 	if path != "" {
+		// #nosec G304 G703 -- operator-supplied local backend host file path.
 		b, err := os.ReadFile(path)
 		if err != nil {
 			log.Fatalf("TUNNEL_HOST_FILE %q: %v", path, err)
@@ -157,6 +173,16 @@ func main() {
 	serverAddr := envRequired("TUNNEL_SERVER")
 	domain := envRequired("TUNNEL_DOMAIN")
 	keyPath := envOr("TUNNEL_KEY", "/keys/id_ed25519")
+	knownHostsPath := envOr("TUNNEL_KNOWN_HOSTS", "")
+	if knownHostsPath == "" {
+		knownHostsPath = sshutil.ExistingPath("/keys/known_hosts")
+	}
+	strictHostKey := envBool("TUNNEL_STRICT_HOST_KEY", false)
+	hostKeyCallback, hostKeyMode, err := sshutil.HostKeyCallback(knownHostsPath, strictHostKey, "tunnel-server")
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Fatalf("Invalid tunnel server host key config: %v", err)
+	}
+	log.Printf("tunnel-server host key mode: %s", hostKeyMode)
 
 	// Optional HTTP Basic Auth credentials for Traefik middleware.
 	authUser := envOr("TUNNEL_AUTH_USER", "")
@@ -201,7 +227,7 @@ func main() {
 			log.Printf("Connecting to %s (domain=%s, local=%s:%d)", serverAddr, domain, localHost, localPort)
 		}
 
-		sshClient, err := client.Connect(serverAddr, signer)
+		sshClient, err := client.Connect(serverAddr, signer, hostKeyCallback)
 		if err != nil {
 			log.Printf("Connection failed: %v (retry in %s)", err, backoff)
 			time.Sleep(backoff)
diff --git a/cmd/server/main.go b/cmd/server/main.go
index 8e49468..540b18f 100644
--- a/cmd/server/main.go
+++ b/cmd/server/main.go
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ import (
 
 	"github.com/nixc/reverse-ssh-traefik/internal/buildinfo"
 	"github.com/nixc/reverse-ssh-traefik/internal/server"
+	"github.com/nixc/reverse-ssh-traefik/internal/sshutil"
 )
 
 func envOr(key, fallback string) string {
@@ -70,14 +71,24 @@ func main() {
 	authKeysPath := envOr("AUTHORIZED_KEYS", "/keys/authorized_keys")
 	portStart := envInt("PORT_RANGE_START", 10000)
 	portEnd := envInt("PORT_RANGE_END", 10100)
+	maxAuthTries := envInt("SSH_MAX_AUTH_TRIES", 3)
 
 	// Swarm manager SSH config (for updating service labels).
 	traefikHost := envRequired("TRAEFIK_SSH_HOST")
 	traefikUser := envOr("TRAEFIK_SSH_USER", "root")
 	traefikKey := envRequired("TRAEFIK_SSH_KEY")
+	traefikKnownHosts := envOr("TRAEFIK_SSH_KNOWN_HOSTS", "")
+	if traefikKnownHosts == "" {
+		traefikKnownHosts = sshutil.ExistingPath("/keys/traefik_known_hosts", "/keys/known_hosts")
+	}
+	traefikStrictHostKey := envBool("TRAEFIK_SSH_STRICT_HOST_KEY", false)
 	serviceName := envOr("SWARM_SERVICE_NAME", "better-argo-tunnels_tunnel-server")
 	entrypoint := envOr("TRAEFIK_ENTRYPOINT", "websecure")
 	certResolver := envOr("TRAEFIK_CERT_RESOLVER", "letsencryptresolver")
+	if maxAuthTries < 1 {
+		log.Printf("WARN: invalid SSH_MAX_AUTH_TRIES=%d, using 3", maxAuthTries)
+		maxAuthTries = 3
+	}
 
 	// Load the SSH key for connecting to the Swarm manager.
 	traefikSigner, err := server.LoadSigner(traefikKey)
@@ -85,6 +96,15 @@ func main() {
 		log.Fatalf("Failed to load Traefik SSH key: %v", err)
 	}
 	log.Printf("Loaded Swarm manager SSH key")
+	traefikHostKeyCallback, traefikHostKeyMode, err := sshutil.HostKeyCallback(
+		traefikKnownHosts,
+		traefikStrictHostKey,
+		"traefik-swarm-manager",
+	)
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Fatalf("Invalid Traefik SSH host key config: %v", err)
+	}
+	log.Printf("Traefik SSH host key mode: %s", traefikHostKeyMode)
 
 	// Initialize port pool.
 	pool := server.NewPortPool(portStart, portEnd)
@@ -92,7 +112,7 @@ func main() {
 
 	// Initialize label manager (Swarm service update via SSH).
 	labels, err := server.NewLabelManager(
-		traefikHost, traefikUser, traefikSigner,
+		traefikHost, traefikUser, traefikSigner, traefikHostKeyCallback,
 		serviceName, entrypoint, certResolver,
 	)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -110,7 +130,7 @@ func main() {
 	}
 
 	// Initialize SSH server for tunnel clients.
-	sshSrv, err := server.NewSSHServer(hostKeyPath, authKeysPath, pool, labels)
+	sshSrv, err := server.NewSSHServer(hostKeyPath, authKeysPath, pool, labels, maxAuthTries)
 	if err != nil {
 		log.Fatalf("Failed to init SSH server: %v", err)
 	}
diff --git a/go.mod b/go.mod
index 8278c1f..64a31aa 100644
--- a/go.mod
+++ b/go.mod
@@ -1,12 +1,10 @@
 module github.com/nixc/reverse-ssh-traefik
 
-go 1.24.0
-
-toolchain go1.24.13
+go 1.25.11
 
 require (
-	golang.org/x/crypto v0.48.0
-	golang.org/x/net v0.50.0
+	golang.org/x/crypto v0.52.0
+	golang.org/x/net v0.55.0
 )
 
-require golang.org/x/sys v0.41.0 // indirect
+require golang.org/x/sys v0.45.0 // indirect
diff --git a/go.sum b/go.sum
index 655e4db..527510c 100644
--- a/go.sum
+++ b/go.sum
@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
-golang.org/x/crypto v0.48.0 h1:/VRzVqiRSggnhY7gNRxPauEQ5Drw9haKdM0jqfcCFts=
-golang.org/x/crypto v0.48.0/go.mod h1:r0kV5h3qnFPlQnBSrULhlsRfryS2pmewsg+XfMgkVos=
-golang.org/x/net v0.50.0 h1:ucWh9eiCGyDR3vtzso0WMQinm2Dnt8cFMuQa9K33J60=
-golang.org/x/net v0.50.0/go.mod h1:UgoSli3F/pBgdJBHCTc+tp3gmrU4XswgGRgtnwWTfyM=
-golang.org/x/sys v0.41.0 h1:Ivj+2Cp/ylzLiEU89QhWblYnOE9zerudt9Ftecq2C6k=
-golang.org/x/sys v0.41.0/go.mod h1:OgkHotnGiDImocRcuBABYBEXf8A9a87e/uXjp9XT3ks=
-golang.org/x/term v0.40.0 h1:36e4zGLqU4yhjlmxEaagx2KuYbJq3EwY8K943ZsHcvg=
-golang.org/x/term v0.40.0/go.mod h1:w2P8uVp06p2iyKKuvXIm7N/y0UCRt3UfJTfZ7oOpglM=
+golang.org/x/crypto v0.52.0 h1:RMs7fP2rXdep0CftQlK8Uf+kibLm7qkCcradZWYz988=
+golang.org/x/crypto v0.52.0/go.mod h1:1QgfPxDqh0T2M/elOJtp9RvuR95kVjir0e6/BvEmGbc=
+golang.org/x/net v0.55.0 h1:bcvxaJn3e1U6InsFWt1JUq1aSjnRxLzT2rtD2KfkDF8=
+golang.org/x/net v0.55.0/go.mod h1:L5U2KuzuOe1lY7Z+aWVIKK6qEeJXnXV9yzGA+WCHJww=
+golang.org/x/sys v0.45.0 h1:dO4czNzziLiiXplLQgBCEpCvXQ3dnkn0SdaZSYdQ+FY=
+golang.org/x/sys v0.45.0/go.mod h1:4GL1E5IUh+htKOUEOaiffhrAeqysfVGipDYzABqnCmw=
+golang.org/x/term v0.43.0 h1:S4RLU2sB31O/NCl+zFN9Aru9A/Cq2aqKpTZJ6B+DwT4=
+golang.org/x/term v0.43.0/go.mod h1:lrhlHNdQJHO+1qVYiHfFKVuVioJIheAc3fBSMFYEIsk=
diff --git a/internal/client/ssh.go b/internal/client/ssh.go
index d9e8492..9a6fa72 100644
--- a/internal/client/ssh.go
+++ b/internal/client/ssh.go
@@ -4,7 +4,9 @@ import (
 	"fmt"
 	"os"
 	"strings"
+	"time"
 
+	"github.com/nixc/reverse-ssh-traefik/internal/sshutil"
 	"golang.org/x/crypto/ssh"
 )
 
@@ -13,6 +15,7 @@ func LoadPrivateKey(keyOrPath string) (ssh.Signer, error) {
 	var keyBytes []byte
 
 	if isFilePath(keyOrPath) {
+		// #nosec G304 -- operator-supplied SSH private key path.
 		data, err := os.ReadFile(keyOrPath)
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, fmt.Errorf("read key file %s: %w", keyOrPath, err)
@@ -38,13 +41,16 @@ func isFilePath(v string) bool {
 }
 
 // Connect establishes an SSH connection to the tunnel server.
-func Connect(addr string, signer ssh.Signer) (*ssh.Client, error) {
+func Connect(addr string, signer ssh.Signer, hostKeyCallback ssh.HostKeyCallback) (*ssh.Client, error) {
 	config := &ssh.ClientConfig{
 		User: "tunnel",
 		Auth: []ssh.AuthMethod{
 			ssh.PublicKeys(signer),
 		},
-		HostKeyCallback: ssh.InsecureIgnoreHostKey(),
+		Config:            sshutil.SecureConfig(),
+		HostKeyAlgorithms: sshutil.HostKeyAlgorithms(),
+		HostKeyCallback:   hostKeyCallback,
+		Timeout:           15 * time.Second,
 	}
 
 	client, err := ssh.Dial("tcp", addr, config)
diff --git a/internal/client/tunnel.go b/internal/client/tunnel.go
index 5b4ec9d..d886e92 100644
--- a/internal/client/tunnel.go
+++ b/internal/client/tunnel.go
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ type TunnelRequest struct {
 // SetupTunnel sends domain metadata and establishes a reverse port forward.
 // The server will allocate a port and register Traefik routes for the domain.
 // localHost and localPort are the backend address (e.g. "127.0.0.1" or "192.168.0.2", 11001).
-// Backend TLS is detected dynamically: TLS is tried first; on failure, plain TCP is used.
+// Backend TLS is detected dynamically: verified TLS is tried first; on failure, plain TCP is used.
 // authUser and authPass are optional; if both are non-empty, the server will
 // add a Traefik basicauth middleware in front of this tunnel.
 func SetupTunnel(
@@ -123,12 +123,11 @@ func forwardToLocal(remoteConn net.Conn, localHost string, localPort int) {
 	wg.Wait()
 }
 
-// dialBackend tries TLS first; on failure (e.g. backend is plain HTTP), uses plain TCP.
+// dialBackend tries verified TLS first; on failure (e.g. backend is plain HTTP), uses plain TCP.
 // Returns (conn, true) if TLS was used, (conn, false) if plain, (nil, false) on error.
 func dialBackend(addr, serverName string) (net.Conn, bool) {
 	tlsConn, err := tls.DialWithDialer(&net.Dialer{Timeout: 5 * time.Second}, "tcp", addr, &tls.Config{
-		ServerName:         serverName,
-		InsecureSkipVerify: true,
+		ServerName: serverName,
 	})
 	if err == nil {
 		return tlsConn, true
diff --git a/internal/server/keyutil.go b/internal/server/keyutil.go
index 91dc27c..19d06cb 100644
--- a/internal/server/keyutil.go
+++ b/internal/server/keyutil.go
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ func LoadSigner(keyOrPath string) (ssh.Signer, error) {
 	var keyBytes []byte
 
 	if isFilePath(keyOrPath) {
+		// #nosec G304 -- operator-supplied SSH private key path.
 		data, err := os.ReadFile(keyOrPath)
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, fmt.Errorf("read key file %s: %w", keyOrPath, err)
@@ -32,6 +33,7 @@ func LoadSigner(keyOrPath string) (ssh.Signer, error) {
 	// If a companion -cert.pub exists, use it (same as openssh auto-loading).
 	if isFilePath(keyOrPath) {
 		certPath := keyOrPath + "-cert.pub"
+		// #nosec G304 -- OpenSSH companion certificate path derived from operator-supplied key path.
 		if certData, err := os.ReadFile(certPath); err == nil {
 			pub, _, _, _, err := ssh.ParseAuthorizedKey(certData)
 			if err == nil {
diff --git a/internal/server/labels.go b/internal/server/labels.go
index 743f1c9..1cf9456 100644
--- a/internal/server/labels.go
+++ b/internal/server/labels.go
@@ -7,7 +7,9 @@ import (
 	"sort"
 	"strings"
 	"sync"
+	"time"
 
+	"github.com/nixc/reverse-ssh-traefik/internal/sshutil"
 	"golang.org/x/crypto/bcrypt"
 	"golang.org/x/crypto/ssh"
 )
@@ -19,6 +21,7 @@ type LabelManager struct {
 	remoteHost   string // Swarm manager, e.g. "ingress.nixc.us"
 	remoteUser   string // SSH user
 	signer       ssh.Signer
+	hostKeyCB    ssh.HostKeyCallback
 	serviceName  string              // Swarm service name, e.g. "better-argo-tunnels_tunnel-server"
 	entrypoint   string              // e.g. "websecure"
 	certResolver string              // e.g. "letsencryptresolver"
@@ -31,6 +34,7 @@ type LabelManager struct {
 func NewLabelManager(
 	remoteHost, remoteUser string,
 	signer ssh.Signer,
+	hostKeyCB ssh.HostKeyCallback,
 	serviceName, entrypoint, certResolver string,
 ) (*LabelManager, error) {
 
@@ -38,6 +42,7 @@ func NewLabelManager(
 		remoteHost:   remoteHost,
 		remoteUser:   remoteUser,
 		signer:       signer,
+		hostKeyCB:    hostKeyCB,
 		serviceName:  serviceName,
 		entrypoint:   entrypoint,
 		certResolver: certResolver,
@@ -122,9 +127,14 @@ func (lm *LabelManager) inspectLabels() (map[string]string, error) {
 	}
 
 	config := &ssh.ClientConfig{
-		User:            lm.remoteUser,
-		Auth:            []ssh.AuthMethod{ssh.PublicKeys(lm.signer)},
-		HostKeyCallback: ssh.InsecureIgnoreHostKey(),
+		User: lm.remoteUser,
+		Auth: []ssh.AuthMethod{
+			ssh.PublicKeys(lm.signer),
+		},
+		Config:            sshutil.SecureConfig(),
+		HostKeyAlgorithms: sshutil.HostKeyAlgorithms(),
+		HostKeyCallback:   lm.hostKeyCB,
+		Timeout:           15 * time.Second,
 	}
 
 	client, err := ssh.Dial("tcp", addr, config)
@@ -505,7 +515,10 @@ func (lm *LabelManager) runRemote(cmd string) error {
 		Auth: []ssh.AuthMethod{
 			ssh.PublicKeys(lm.signer),
 		},
-		HostKeyCallback: ssh.InsecureIgnoreHostKey(),
+		Config:            sshutil.SecureConfig(),
+		HostKeyAlgorithms: sshutil.HostKeyAlgorithms(),
+		HostKeyCallback:   lm.hostKeyCB,
+		Timeout:           15 * time.Second,
 	}
 
 	client, err := ssh.Dial("tcp", addr, config)
diff --git a/internal/server/ssh.go b/internal/server/ssh.go
index 320c4f6..535bb10 100644
--- a/internal/server/ssh.go
+++ b/internal/server/ssh.go
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ import (
 	"strings"
 	"sync"
 
+	"github.com/nixc/reverse-ssh-traefik/internal/sshutil"
 	"golang.org/x/crypto/ssh"
 )
 
@@ -46,6 +47,7 @@ func NewSSHServer(
 	hostKeyPath, authorizedKeysPath string,
 	pool *PortPool,
 	labels *LabelManager,
+	maxAuthTries int,
 ) (*SSHServer, error) {
 	s := &SSHServer{
 		pool:       pool,
@@ -54,9 +56,13 @@ func NewSSHServer(
 	}
 
 	config := &ssh.ServerConfig{
-		PublicKeyCallback: s.buildAuthCallback(authorizedKeysPath),
+		Config:                  sshutil.SecureConfig(),
+		PublicKeyAuthAlgorithms: sshutil.PublicKeyAuthAlgorithms(),
+		MaxAuthTries:            maxAuthTries,
+		PublicKeyCallback:       s.buildAuthCallback(authorizedKeysPath),
 	}
 
+	// #nosec G304 -- operator-supplied SSH host private key path.
 	hostKeyBytes, err := os.ReadFile(hostKeyPath)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("read host key: %w", err)
@@ -77,6 +83,7 @@ func NewSSHServer(
 // newly-added keys take effect without restarting the server.
 func loadAuthorizedKeys(path string) map[string]bool {
 	allowed := make(map[string]bool)
+	// #nosec G304 -- operator-supplied authorized_keys path.
 	data, err := os.ReadFile(path)
 	if err != nil {
 		log.Printf("WARN: cannot read authorized_keys at %s: %v", path, err)
diff --git a/internal/server/tunnel.go b/internal/server/tunnel.go
index 83801c7..b1d8ed1 100644
--- a/internal/server/tunnel.go
+++ b/internal/server/tunnel.go
@@ -5,7 +5,9 @@ import (
 	"hash/fnv"
 	"io"
 	"log"
+	"math"
 	"net"
+	"strconv"
 	"strings"
 	"sync"
 
@@ -77,7 +79,8 @@ func (pp *PortPool) AllocatePreferred(key string) (int, error) {
 func stableOffset(key string, span int) int {
 	h := fnv.New32a()
 	_, _ = h.Write([]byte(strings.ToLower(strings.TrimSpace(key))))
-	return int(h.Sum32() % uint32(span))
+	// #nosec G115 -- span is validated positive by AllocatePreferred and the modulo result is always < span.
+	return int(uint64(h.Sum32()) % uint64(span))
 }
 
 // Release returns a port to the pool.
@@ -172,7 +175,14 @@ func (s *SSHServer) handleForwardRequest(
 	}
 
 	// Reply with the bound port.
-	resp := tcpipForwardResponse{BoundPort: uint32(port)}
+	boundPort, err := checkedUint32(port)
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Printf("invalid allocated port %d: %v", port, err)
+		s.pool.Release(port)
+		req.Reply(false, nil)
+		return
+	}
+	resp := tcpipForwardResponse{BoundPort: boundPort}
 	req.Reply(true, ssh.Marshal(&resp))
 	log.Printf("Allocated port %d for forwarding (conn=%s)", port, connKey)
 
@@ -180,7 +190,7 @@ func (s *SSHServer) handleForwardRequest(
 	done := make(chan struct{})
 	go func() {
 		defer close(done)
-		acceptForwardedConnections(listener, sshConn, fwdReq.BindAddr, uint32(port))
+		acceptForwardedConnections(listener, sshConn, fwdReq.BindAddr, boundPort)
 	}()
 
 	tunKey := SanitizeDomain(domain)
@@ -244,8 +254,11 @@ func forwardConnection(
 	defer conn.Close()
 
 	originAddr, originPortStr, _ := net.SplitHostPort(conn.RemoteAddr().String())
-	var originPort int
-	fmt.Sscanf(originPortStr, "%d", &originPort)
+	originPort, err := strconv.ParseUint(originPortStr, 10, 32)
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Printf("invalid origin port %q: %v", originPortStr, err)
+		return
+	}
 
 	payload := forwardedTCPPayload{
 		Addr:       bindAddr,
@@ -276,6 +289,13 @@ func forwardConnection(
 	wg.Wait()
 }
 
+func checkedUint32(value int) (uint32, error) {
+	if value < 0 || value > math.MaxUint32 {
+		return 0, fmt.Errorf("outside uint32 range")
+	}
+	return uint32(value), nil
+}
+
 // cleanupConnection removes tunnels associated with a closed SSH connection.
 // It collects work under the lock, then performs slow label removal outside it.
 func (s *SSHServer) cleanupConnection(connKey string) {
diff --git a/internal/sshutil/sshutil.go b/internal/sshutil/sshutil.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2d6a64a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/sshutil/sshutil.go
@@ -0,0 +1,68 @@
+package sshutil
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"log"
+	"net"
+	"os"
+
+	"golang.org/x/crypto/ssh"
+	"golang.org/x/crypto/ssh/knownhosts"
+)
+
+// SecureConfig returns the currently supported non-legacy SSH algorithms from
+// x/crypto/ssh. This keeps SHA-1-era algorithms out without hardcoding a list
+// that can drift behind the library.
+func SecureConfig() ssh.Config {
+	algorithms := ssh.SupportedAlgorithms()
+	return ssh.Config{
+		KeyExchanges: algorithms.KeyExchanges,
+		Ciphers:      algorithms.Ciphers,
+		MACs:         algorithms.MACs,
+	}
+}
+
+func HostKeyAlgorithms() []string {
+	return ssh.SupportedAlgorithms().HostKeys
+}
+
+func PublicKeyAuthAlgorithms() []string {
+	return ssh.SupportedAlgorithms().PublicKeyAuths
+}
+
+func ExistingPath(paths ...string) string {
+	for _, path := range paths {
+		if path == "" {
+			continue
+		}
+		if _, err := os.Stat(path); err == nil {
+			return path
+		}
+	}
+	return ""
+}
+
+func HostKeyCallback(knownHostsPath string, strict bool, label string) (ssh.HostKeyCallback, string, error) {
+	if knownHostsPath != "" {
+		cb, err := knownhosts.New(knownHostsPath)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, "", fmt.Errorf("load %s known_hosts %s: %w", label, knownHostsPath, err)
+		}
+		return cb, fmt.Sprintf("known_hosts:%s", knownHostsPath), nil
+	}
+
+	if strict {
+		return nil, "", fmt.Errorf("%s strict host key checking requires a known_hosts file", label)
+	}
+
+	return func(hostname string, remote net.Addr, key ssh.PublicKey) error {
+		log.Printf(
+			"WARN: %s SSH host key is not verified for %s (%s); fingerprint=%s",
+			label,
+			hostname,
+			remote.String(),
+			ssh.FingerprintSHA256(key),
+		)
+		return nil
+	}, "insecure-unverified-host-key", nil
+}
diff --git a/internal/sshutil/sshutil_test.go b/internal/sshutil/sshutil_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2d61619
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/sshutil/sshutil_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+package sshutil
+
+import "testing"
+
+func TestSecureConfigUsesSupportedAlgorithms(t *testing.T) {
+	cfg := SecureConfig()
+	if len(cfg.KeyExchanges) == 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("expected key exchanges")
+	}
+	if len(cfg.Ciphers) == 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("expected ciphers")
+	}
+	if len(cfg.MACs) == 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("expected MACs")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestHostKeyCallbackStrictRequiresKnownHosts(t *testing.T) {
+	if _, _, err := HostKeyCallback("", true, "test"); err == nil {
+		t.Fatalf("expected strict host key mode without known_hosts to fail")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestHostKeyCallbackAllowsCompatibilityFallback(t *testing.T) {
+	cb, mode, err := HostKeyCallback("", false, "test")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("HostKeyCallback: %v", err)
+	}
+	if cb == nil {
+		t.Fatalf("expected callback")
+	}
+	if mode != "insecure-unverified-host-key" {
+		t.Fatalf("mode = %q, want insecure-unverified-host-key", mode)
+	}
+}
diff --git a/systemd/tunnel-client.env.example b/systemd/tunnel-client.env.example
index 1d7df63..225d368 100644
--- a/systemd/tunnel-client.env.example
+++ b/systemd/tunnel-client.env.example
@@ -5,6 +5,9 @@ TUNNEL_SERVER=ingress.nixc.us:2222
 # authorized_keys on ingress and: TUNNEL_SERVER=sms.taylor-co.com:2222
 TUNNEL_DOMAIN=myapp.example.com
 TUNNEL_KEY=/etc/tunnel-client/id_ed25519
+# Recommended for production host-key verification:
+# TUNNEL_KNOWN_HOSTS=/etc/tunnel-client/known_hosts
+# TUNNEL_STRICT_HOST_KEY=true
 
 # Add this key's public half to the tunnel user's ~/.ssh/authorized_keys on ingress.nixc.us.
 
diff --git a/systemd/tunnel-server.env.example b/systemd/tunnel-server.env.example
index 5d3c789..18aeb94 100644
--- a/systemd/tunnel-server.env.example
+++ b/systemd/tunnel-server.env.example
@@ -7,12 +7,15 @@ TRAEFIK_SSH_KEY=/etc/tunnel-server/traefik_deploy_key
 # SSH_PORT=2222
 # SSH_HOST_KEY=/etc/tunnel-server/host_key
 # AUTHORIZED_KEYS=/etc/tunnel-server/authorized_keys  (tunnel user's authorized_keys from ingress.nixc.us)
+# SSH_MAX_AUTH_TRIES=3
 # PORT_RANGE_START=10000
 # PORT_RANGE_END=10100
 # PURGE_STALE_LABELS_ON_START=false
 # HEALTHCHECK_ADDR=127.0.0.1:2222
 # HEALTHCHECK_TIMEOUT_SECONDS=2
 # TRAEFIK_SSH_USER=root
+# TRAEFIK_SSH_KNOWN_HOSTS=/etc/tunnel-server/traefik_known_hosts
+# TRAEFIK_SSH_STRICT_HOST_KEY=true
 # SWARM_SERVICE_NAME=better-argo-tunnels_tunnel-server
 # TRAEFIK_ENTRYPOINT=websecure
 # TRAEFIK_CERT_RESOLVER=letsencryptresolver