CVE-2026-88772: Citrix NetScaler 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
Vulnerability in Citrix NetScaler ADC and Citrix NetScaler Gateway. This issue affects ADC: before 14.1-73.37, before 13.1-64.23, before 14.1-73.37 FIPS, and before 13.1.37.279 FIPS and NDcPP; Gateway: before 14.1-73.37 and before 13.1-64.23 leading to Remote Code Execution or Denial of Service
Description quoted from the CVE record (assigned by NetScaler, published 2026-09-27).
Weakness: CWE-119 Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer
How it can be exploited
Exploitable over the network with high attack complexity with no special attack requirements needing no privileges and no user interaction. Impact: confidentiality high, integrity high, availability high. CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:H/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:H/SI:H/SA:H
CISA assessment (SSVC): CISA assesses exploitation as active. Automatable: no. Technical impact: total.
- On CISA KEV since
- 2026-09-27
- US federal deadline
- 2026-09-30
- Ransomware use
- Not known
Public exploit evidence (Exploit Observer)
Also known as: BDU:2026-15497, EUVD-2026-87959, GHSA-h5xm-pf48-4c32
VEDAS cluster: VEDAS:BARNBAT
Exploit Observer links 10 pieces of public exploit code or detection modules that name this CVE or one of its aliases.
Exploit code and modules (10)
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/completetech-security/netscaler-cve-2026-88772-check
- Code repository: https://github.com/completetech-security/netscaler-pitscaler-cve-2026-88772-check
- Code repository: https://github.com/followerseize/cve-2026-88772-poc
- Code repository: https://github.com/murrez/cve-2026-88772
- Code repository: https://github.com/watchtowrlabs/watchtowr-vs-citrix-netscaler-cve-2026-88772
- Code repository: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ARPSyndicate/vedas-signatures/main/nuclei/2026/CVE-2026-88772.yaml
- Code repository: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ARPSyndicate/vedas-signatures/main/nuclei/2026/CVE-2026-88772.yaml
- Code repository: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ARPSyndicate/vedas-signatures/main/suricata/2026/CVE-2026-88772.rules
- Code repository: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ARPSyndicate/vedas-signatures/main/suricata/2026/CVE-2026-88772.rules
- Code repository: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ARPSyndicate/vedas-signatures/main/suricata/2026/CVE-2026-88772.rules
Research and write-ups (7)
- Research or write-up: https://generativeai.pub/no-login-root-shellcode-citrix-netscaler-cve-2026-88772-is-a-pre-auth-nightmare-by-samadhan-4f5bbb06f3bd
- Research or write-up: https://labs.watchtowr.com/here-we-go-again-citrix-netscaler-dtls-preauth-memory-overflow-cve-2026-88772
- Research or write-up: https://pentestit.com/analysis-cve-2026-88771-and-cve-2026-88772
- Research or write-up: https://socprime.com/blog/cve-2026-88771-and-cve-2026-88772-analysis
- Research or write-up: https://thecyberexpress.com/citrix-netscaler-cve-2026-88771-cve-2026-88772
- Research or write-up: https://therealistjuggernaut.com/2026/09/28/cisa-adds-two-actively-exploited-citrix-netscaler-vulnerabilities-to-kev-catalog-cve-2026-88771-and-cve-2026-88772-elevated-for-priority-remediation
- Research or write-up: https://www.cyber.gc.ca/en/alerts-advisories/al26-024-critical-vulnerabilities-affecting-citrix-netscaler-adc-netscaler-gateway-cve-2026-88771-cve-2026-88772
Vulnerability databases and vendor advisories (6)
Catalogue entries, not exploit evidence.
- Vulnerability database or vendor advisory: https://euvd.enisa.europa.eu/enisa/EUVD-2026-87959
- Vulnerability database or vendor advisory: https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-h5xm-pf48-4c32
- Vulnerability database or vendor advisory: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-88772
- Vulnerability database or vendor advisory: https://support.citrix.com/support-home/kbsearch/article?articleNumber=CTX697096&articleTitle=Citrix_NetScaler_ADC_and_Citrix_NetScaler_Gateway_Security_Bulletin_for_CVE_2026_88771_CVE_2026_88772_CVE_2026_88773_CVE_2026_88774_CVE_2026_88775_CVE_2026_88776_CVE_2026_88777_and_CVE_2026_88778
- Vulnerability database or vendor advisory: https://support.citrix.com/support-home/kbsearch/article?articleNumber=CTX697096&articleURL=Citrix_NetScaler_ADC_and_Citrix_NetScaler_Gateway_Security_Bulletin_for_CVE_2026_88771_CVE_2026_88772_CVE_2026_88773_CVE_2026_88774_CVE_2026_88775_CVE_2026_88776_CVE_2026_88777_and_CVE_2026_88778
- Vulnerability database or vendor advisory: https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2026-88772
News (3)
- News: https://thehackernews.com/2026/09/citrix-netscaler-cve-2026-88772-exploit.html
- News: https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2026/09/28/citrix-netscaler-rce-zero-days-exploited-for-weeks-cve-2026-88771-cve-2026-88772
- News: https://www.technadu.com/two-citrix-netscaler-flaws-are-being-exploited-for-remote-code-execution-cisa-urges-patching-cve-2026-88771-cve-2026-88772/639295
178 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
- 0.782
very likely to be attacked soon - VEDAS
- 0.978
strong exploit evidence - On CISA KEV
- Yes, since 2026-09-27
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.
Who is affected
| Product | Affected | Not affected |
|---|---|---|
| Citrix NetScaler ADC | before 14.1-73.37 before 13.1-64.23 before 14.1-73.37 FIPS before 13.1.37.279 FIPS and NDcPP | Not stated |
| Citrix NetScaler Gateway | before 14.1-73.37 before 13.1-64.23 | 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_gateway, citrix_systems_inc. netscaler_gateway.
How to fix it
Fixed versions stated in the CVE record: 14.1-73.37, 13.1-64.23, 14.1-73.37 FIPS, 13.1.37.279 FIPS and NDcPP.
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://community.citrix.com/techzone-blogs/110_security-updates/netscaler-adc-and-netscaler-gateway-security-bulletin-for-cve-2026-88771-through-cve-2026-88778
- https://support.citrix.com/support-home/kbsearch/article?articleNumber=CTX697096
- https://support.citrix.com/external/article/CTX694799/steps-to-take-if-netscaler-adc-is-suspec.html
- 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-2026-88772
How to detect it
Nuclei template (active check)
Citrix - Out-of-Bounds Read
Vulnerability in Citrix NetScaler ADC and Citrix NetScaler Gateway. This issue affects ADC: before 14.1-73.37, before 13.1-64.23, before 14.1-73.37 FIPS, and before 13.1.37.279 FIPS and NDcPP; Gateway: before 14.1-73.37 and before 13.1-64.23 leading to Remote Code Execution or Denial of Service
Name and description quoted from the template, written by VEDAS.
The template sends 2 requests (GET /logon/LogonPoint/tmindex.html, GET /epa/scripts/linux/nsepa.deb); it decides using dsl matchers. Severity in the template: critical. Marked as not yet verified against a live vulnerable target.
Run it against a host you own or are authorised to test:
nuclei -u https://your-host -t CVE-2026-88772.yamlShow the template (39 lines)
id: CVE-2026-88772
info:
name: "Citrix - Out-of-Bounds Read"
author: vedas-arpsyndicate
severity: critical
description: |
Vulnerability in Citrix NetScaler ADC and Citrix NetScaler Gateway. This issue affects ADC: before 14.1-73.37,
before 13.1-64.23, before 14.1-73.37 FIPS, and before 13.1.37.279 FIPS and NDcPP; Gateway: before 14.1-73.37
and before 13.1-64.23 leading to Remote Code Execution or Denial of Service
reference:
- https://www.exploit.observer/?keyword=CVE-2026-88772&match=exact
- https://subdomain.center/?engine=ammonites&keyword=citrix&match=exact
classification:
cvss-metrics: CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N
cvss-score: 9.5
cve-id: CVE-2026-88772
cwe-id: CWE-125
metadata:
verified: false
max-request: 2
tags: cve,cve2026,citrix,netscaler,adc,gateway
http:
- raw:
- |
GET /logon/LogonPoint/tmindex.html HTTP/1.1
Host: {{Hostname}}
- |
GET /epa/scripts/linux/nsepa.deb HTTP/1.1
Host: {{Hostname}}
matchers-condition: and
matchers:
- type: dsl
dsl:
- "status_code_1 == 200"
- "contains(body_1, 'Citrix') || contains(body_1, 'NetScaler')"
- "content_length_2 == 11230664"
condition: and
Suricata rules (network detection)
1 rule that alert on traffic matching this exploit: VEDAS CVE-2026-88772 Citrix - Out-of-Bounds Read. Add them to your Suricata rule set and reload.
Show the rules
alert http $EXTERNAL_NET any -> $HTTP_SERVERS $HTTP_PORTS (msg:"VEDAS CVE-2026-88772 Citrix - Out-of-Bounds Read"; flow:established,to_server; http.uri; content:"/logon/LogonPoint/tmindex.html"; nocase; fast_pattern; classtype:web-application-attack; reference:cve,CVE-2026-88772; reference:url,https://www.exploit.observer/?keyword=CVE-2026-88772&match=exact; reference:url,https://subdomain.center/?engine=ammonites&keyword=citrix&match=exact; sid:1011808; rev:1;)
CVE-2026-88772.rules on GitHub
References
Government sources
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2026-88772 (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, vedas-signatures. 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.