CVE-2026-8452: Citrix NetScaler ADC and NetScaler Gateway Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer Vulnerability
Advisory generated from the CVE record, CISA, Exploit Observer and VEDAS: what it is, whether it is exploited, who is affected, and how to fix and detect it.
Generated by VEDAS. Scores as of 2026-11-01 19:19 UTC. Rebuilt every few hours from cve-scores, CISA KEV and vedas-signatures. How this works and its limits.
What it is
Memory overflow vulnerability NetScaler ADC and NetScaler Gateway leading to unpredictable or erroneous behavior and Denial of Service if the appliance is configured as a Gateway (SSL VPN, ICA Proxy, CVPN, RDP Proxy) or AAA virtual server
Description quoted from the CVE record (assigned by NetScaler, published 2026-06-30).
Weakness: CWE-119 Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer
How it can be exploited
Exploitable over the network with low attack complexity with no special attack requirements needing no privileges and no user interaction. Impact: confidentiality high, integrity low, availability high. CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:L/VA:H/SC:L/SI:L/SA:L
CISA assessment (SSVC): CISA assesses exploitation as active. Automatable: yes. Technical impact: partial.
- On CISA KEV since
- 2026-08-26
- US federal deadline
- 2026-08-29
- Ransomware use
- Not known
Public exploit evidence (Exploit Observer)
Also known as: BDU:2026-09281, EUVD-2026-40307, GHSA-r7wg-r5wj-c765
VEDAS cluster: VEDAS:GATORRAVEN
Exploit Observer links 4 pieces of public exploit code or detection modules that name this CVE or one of its aliases.
Exploit code and modules (4)
Code that names this CVE. A repository can be a working exploit, a scanner, a fake or malware; read it before running anything.
- Code repository: https://github.com/bishopfox/cve-2026-8452-check
- Code repository: https://github.com/maxprog-svg/citrixbleedcve-2026-8452-2025-5777
- Code repository: https://github.com/techupdate24/citrix-netscaler-cve-2026-8452-rce
- Code repository: https://github.com/watchtowrlabs/watchtowr-vs-citrix-netscaler-preauth-rce-cve-2026-8452
Research and write-ups (3)
- Research or write-up: https://bishopfox.com/blog/no-crash-required-verifying-the-citrix-netscaler-saml-patch-for-cve-2026-8452
- Research or write-up: https://blog.openvpn.net/cve-2026-8452-citrix-netscaler-exploited
- Research or write-up: https://labs.watchtowr.com/youre-back-in-the-room-citrix-netscaler-pre-auth-rce-cve-2026-8452
Vulnerability databases and vendor advisories (5)
Catalogue entries, not exploit evidence.
- Vulnerability database or vendor advisory: https://euvd.enisa.europa.eu/enisa/EUVD-2026-40307
- Vulnerability database or vendor advisory: https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-r7wg-r5wj-c765
- Vulnerability database or vendor advisory: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-8452
- Vulnerability database or vendor advisory: https://support.citrix.com/support-home/kbsearch/article?articleNumber=CTX696604&articleTitle=CTX696604_NetScaler_ADC_and_NetScaler_Gateway_Security_Bulletin_for_CVE_2026_8451_CVE_2026_8452_CVE_2026_8655_CVE_2026_10816_CVE_2026_10817_and_CVE_2026_13474
- Vulnerability database or vendor advisory: https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2026-8452
55 more references returned by Exploit Observer did not name this CVE or an alias, so they are left out.
VEDAS data as of 2026-11-01T17:12 UTC; fetched 2026-11-02.
Live scores
- EPSS
- 0.010
some chance of attack soon - VEDAS
- 0.968
strong exploit evidence - On CISA KEV
- Yes, since 2026-08-26
- Detection rule
- None yet
Thin horizontal line: the “likely” (EPSS 0.10) or “strong” (VEDAS 0.90) threshold. Shaded “no data” areas are periods when cve-scores did not publish. The vertical line is the day CISA added it to its exploited list.
VEDAS flagged this bug about 5 days before CISA confirmed attacks.
Who is affected
| Product | Affected | Not affected |
|---|---|---|
| NetScaler ADC | from 14.1 before 72.61 from 13.1 before 63.18 from 14.1 FIPS before 72.61 from 13.1 FIPS and NDcPP before 37.272 | Not stated |
| NetScaler Gateway | from 14.1 before 72.61 from 13.1 before 63.18 | Not stated |
Version ranges exactly as the CVE record states them. “Before X” means X is the first fixed version.
Exploit Observer also maps it to: citrix netscaler_application_delivery_controller, citrix netscaler_gateway, citrix_systems_inc. netscaler_adc, citrix_systems_inc. netscaler_adc_fips, citrix_systems_inc. netscaler_adc_ndcpp, citrix_systems_inc. netscaler_gateway.
How to fix it
Fixed versions stated in the CVE record: 72.61, 63.18, 37.272.
CISA required action: Apply mitigations in accordance with vendor instructions, ensuring compliance with CISA’s BOD 26-04 Prioritizing Security Updates Based on Risk (see URL in Notes) guidance and CISA’s “Forensics Triage Requirements” (see URL in Notes). Follow applicable BOD 26-04 guidance for cloud services or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable. Stakeholders are responsible for evaluating each asset’s internet exposure and ensuring adherence to BOD 26-04 patching guidelines.
Vendor guidance:
- https://support.citrix.com/support-home/kbsearch/article?articleNumber=CTX696604
- https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/directives/bod-26-04-prioritizing-security-updates-based-risk
- https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/directives/bod-26-04-implementation-guidance-prioritizing-security-updates-based-risk
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-8452
How to detect it
There is no open VEDAS detection rule for this bug yet. It is listed on the detection gaps page if CISA has confirmed attacks.
References
Government sources
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2026-8452 (government-resource)
Other references
Other databases
Where this comes from
This advisory is generated automatically by VEDAS from: CVE.org record, CISA KEV, cve-scores (EPSS and VEDAS), Exploit Observer. Text in quotes is reproduced from the source; everything else is a fixed template filled with source fields. Nothing here is written by a language model. Check the vendor advisory before acting, and read how VEDAS and Exploit Observer work, and their limits.