# Citrix NetScaler zero-days exploited pre-patch

Published: 2026-09-28 · Severity: severe · Sectors: technology, infrastructure
Canonical: https://vorant.io/reports/2844409c-d81f-59db-b090-5e7b3a1e106a/citrix-netscaler-zero-days-exploited-pre-patch

> Two unauthenticated RCE flaws in Citrix NetScaler ADC/Gateway are being actively exploited in the wild, CERT-FR warns.

CERT-FR issued an alert on a Citrix security bulletin (CTX697096) covering eight vulnerabilities in NetScaler ADC and NetScaler Gateway. Two of them, CVE-2026-88771 and CVE-2026-88772, allow an unauthenticated remote attacker to execute arbitrary code, and Citrix confirms these have been actively exploited in the wild, with exploitation beginning before patches were available. Citrix states that any unpatched device running in its default configuration is vulnerable.

Affected versions include NetScaler ADC 13.1-FIPS prior to 13.1-NDcPP 13.1.37.279, ADC/Gateway 13.1.x prior to 13.1-64.23, ADC 14.1-FIPS prior to 14.1-73.37 FIPS, and ADC/Gateway 14.1.x prior to 14.1-73.37. Given the pre-patch exploitation and unauthenticated RCE impact, this represents an urgent, actively exploited zero-day scenario affecting widely deployed edge/VPN gateway appliances.

Citrix has made indicators of compromise available to customers via the NetScaler console. Defenders should immediately apply the vendor-provided patches referenced in CTX697096, review IOCs distributed via the NetScaler management console, and check for signs of compromise on internet-facing NetScaler ADC/Gateway instances, given active exploitation predating fix availability.

## Mentioned in this report

- Vulnerabilities: CVE-2026-88771 (KEV), CVE-2026-88772 (KEV), CVE-2026-88773, CVE-2026-88774, CVE-2026-88775, CVE-2026-88776, CVE-2026-88777, CVE-2026-88778

Source reporting: https://www.cert.ssi.gouv.fr/alerte/CERTFR-2026-ALE-011

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