CVE-2017-6316
Citrix Multiple Products Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
Description
CVE-2017-6316 is a critical vulnerability affecting Citrix NetScaler SD-WAN Enterprise, CloudBridge Virtual WAN, and XenMobile Server. A vulnerability has been identified in the management interface of Citrix NetScaler SD-WAN Enterprise and Standard Edition and Citrix CloudBridge Virtual WAN Edition that could result in an unauthenticated, remote attacker being able to execute arbitrary code as a root user. This vulnerability also affects XenMobile Server. An attacker can exploit this flaw without authentication over the network. CISA has added this vulnerability to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, confirming active exploitation in the wild. The EPSS score of 87.79% (99.5th percentile) indicates a significantly elevated exploitation probability.
KEV Information
CVSS Score
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HOpen in CalculatorAffected Products
| Vendor | Product | Version |
|---|---|---|
| citrix | netscaler sd-wan | <= 9.1.2.26.561201 |
Multiple CVSS Assessments
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
References
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/99943(Broken Link, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry)
- http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1039019(Broken Link, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry)
- https://support.citrix.com/article/CTX225990(Permissions Required)
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/42345/(Exploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry)
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/42346/(Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry)
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2017-6316(US Government Resource)
Weakness Type
Unspecified Weakness
No specific CWE classification has been assigned to this vulnerability. The underlying weakness enables remote exploitation of Citrix NetScaler SD-WAN Enterprise, CloudBridge Virtual WAN, and XenMobile Server, potentially leading to unauthorized access or code execution.
Learn more: CWE Database
Impact Analysis
CVE-2017-6316 carries a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8 (CRITICAL), reflecting the serious risk it poses to affected environments. Successful exploitation can lead to complete compromise of data confidentiality, full system integrity compromise, and complete denial of service. The attack vector is network-based with low complexity, meaning exploitation is straightforward and can be reliably repeated. Organizations running Citrix NetScaler SD-WAN Enterprise, CloudBridge Virtual WAN, and XenMobile Server face tangible risk of unauthorized access, data breaches, and operational disruption if this vulnerability remains unpatched.
Exploit Maturity
CVE-2017-6316 is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog with a remediation deadline of 2022-04-15, confirming that real-world exploitation has been observed. The EPSS score of 87.79% (99.5th percentile) places this vulnerability among those most likely to be exploited. Public exploit code is available in vulnerability databases, lowering the barrier for attackers and increasing the urgency of remediation.
Remediation
- Apply updates per vendor instructions. This is the CISA-mandated remediation action and should be prioritized immediately.
- If patches cannot be applied immediately, restrict network access to the affected NetScaler SD-WAN Enterprise, CloudBridge Virtual WAN, and XenMobile Server management interfaces to only trusted administrative networks using firewall rules or access control lists.
- Monitor vendor security advisories for additional updates and ensure a patch management process is in place for timely deployment.
- Conduct a thorough review of affected systems for signs of prior compromise, including unexpected user accounts, modified configurations, and unusual network activity.
- Implement defense-in-depth measures including network segmentation, intrusion detection systems, and continuous security monitoring for the affected infrastructure.
Technical Details
CVE-2017-6316 is exploitable remotely over the network without any prior authentication. A vulnerability has been identified in the management interface of Citrix NetScaler SD-WAN Enterprise and Standard Edition and Citrix CloudBridge Virtual WAN Edition that could result in an unauthenticated, remote attacker being able to execute arbitrary code as a root user. This vulnerability also affects XenMobile Server. The attack complexity is rated low, meaning no specialized conditions or preparation are needed beyond network access to the target. The scope is unchanged, meaning the impact is confined to the vulnerable component. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8 reflects the combination of these factors and the potential for significant damage to affected systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CVE-2017-6316 being actively exploited?
Yes. CISA has confirmed active exploitation by adding CVE-2017-6316 to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog. The EPSS score of 87.79% (99.5th percentile) further indicates high exploitation likelihood.
What products are affected by CVE-2017-6316?
CVE-2017-6316 affects Citrix NetScaler SD-WAN Enterprise, CloudBridge Virtual WAN, and XenMobile Server.
How do I fix CVE-2017-6316?
Apply updates per vendor instructions. Ensure your systems are updated to the latest patched version. If immediate patching is not feasible, restrict network access to the affected system's management interfaces.
How severe is CVE-2017-6316?
CVE-2017-6316 has a CVSS 3.1 score of 9.8 (CRITICAL). This is a critical vulnerability that should be remediated with the highest priority. The vulnerability enables unauthenticated remote attackers to potentially compromise affected NetScaler SD-WAN Enterprise, CloudBridge Virtual WAN, and XenMobile Server systems.
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