CVE-2026-88771: Citrix NetScaler Improper Input Validation Vulnerability

CISA Known Exploited Vulnerability (KEV)

Description

Citrix NetScaler ADC and NetScaler Gateway contain an improper input validation vulnerability that could allow an unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary commands.

Required action (CISA)

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.

Notes

Running the provided IOCs in the NetScaler console may help identify indicators of exploitation. Customers must conduct forensic triage as directed by BOD 26‑04 and follow Citrix’s published guidance for mitigations. For more information, please see: 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 ; BOD 26-04: https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/directives/bod-26-04-prioritizing-security-updates-based-risk ; Forensics Triage Requirements: 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

Weakness behind it

CISA records this vulnerability as an instance of CWE-119. From there the chain continues into CAPEC attack patterns and ATT&CK techniques, all inside this corpus.

References

• NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-88771
• KEV catalog: https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog