OpenVPN network is not accessible in WSL when connection established from (Windows Host OpenVPN Application), it is accessible only if the connection established inside WSL2 container.

Windows Version

Microsoft Windows [Version 10.0.22631.5699]

WSL Version

2.5.9.0

Are you using WSL 1 or WSL 2?

• WSL 2
• WSL 1

Kernel Version

6.6.87.2-1

Distro Version

Kali 2025.1

Other Software

OpenVPN v3.7.2 (4253)

Repro Steps

i used Hack The Box OpenVPN File from https://app.hackthebox.com/starting-point

1- try to run any openVPN file on windows host.
2- ping any available IP on the VPN from within the WSL terminal.
3- you will notice the target IP is unreachable.

as we see in the image below, the openVPN is connected using "Windows OpenVPN App", yet the WSL can't reach the target IP.

then run the same openVPN file from within the WSL terminal.
1- use the command sudo openvpn --config /path/to/vpnFile.ovpn
2- try to ping any available IP on the VPN from within the WSL terminal.
3- the target IP will answer.

in the following image, i ran the same VPN file from within the WSL comtainer, not the Windows OpenVPN App, then used ping command and the target IP was reachable.

Expected Behavior

i expect to Run VPN files from the windows host (not the WSL), and access the VPN from both windows and WSL at the same time.

Actual Behavior

i can't access VPN in WSL if the connection is established from the Windows host.
WSL can access VPN only and only if the connection is established from the WSL container it self.

Diagnostic Logs

The File is 99MB so it github rejected the upload, so i uploaded it to google drive:
WSLNetworkingLogsDriveURL.zip

here is a dummy file for github bot
WslNetworkingLogs-2025-07-26_18-20-19.zip

Start by reproducing the issue with WSL 2, Kali 2025.1, OpenVPN 3.7.2 on the Windows host, and the provided Hack The Box configuration, then inspect the attached WSL networking logs. Verify whether the VPN target remains unreachable from WSL while the host connection is active; done means the VPN is accessible from both Windows and WSL at the same time.