# CVE-2017-6316: Citrix Multiple Products Remote Code Execution

> Remote attackers can execute arbitrary shell commands as root on Citrix NetScaler SD-WAN devices via a crafted cookie.

- **Severity:** Critical 9.8 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Yes, since 25 Mar 2022 (CISA KEV)
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 20 Jul 2017
- **Updated:** 21 Oct 2025
- **Also known as:** GHSA-9f8x-323m-6vw4

## What is CVE-2017-6316?

CVE-2017-6316 is a critical command injection vulnerability in n/a, published on 20 Jul 2017. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

Citrix NetScaler SD-WAN devices through v9.1.2.26.561201 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary shell commands as root via a CGISESSID cookie. On CloudBridge (the former name of NetScaler SD-WAN) devices, the cookie name was CAKEPHP rather than CGISESSID.

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2017-6316?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Citrix Netscaler Sd-Wan.

## How do I fix CVE-2017-6316?

No fix has been published for CVE-2017-6316 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available. US federal agencies must fix it by 15 Apr 2022.

## Is CVE-2017-6316 being exploited?

Yes. Attackers have exploited CVE-2017-6316 in the wild since at least 25 Mar 2022.

Public exploit code:

- Netscaler SD-WAN 9.1.2.26.561201 - Command Injection (Metasploit) (exploitdb)
- Citrix CloudBridge - 'CAKEPHP' Cookie Command Injection (exploitdb)

## Other vulnerabilities in n/a

- [CVE-2019-12989](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-12989/): Citrix SD-WAN and NetScaler SQL Injection (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2019-12991](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-12991/): Citrix SD-WAN and NetScaler Command Injection (high 8.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2019-12985](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-12985/): Command injection in n/a (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2019-12986](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-12986/): Command injection in n/a (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2019-12987](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-12987/): Command injection in n/a (critical 9.8)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2017-6316 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2017-6316 is a critical command injection vulnerability in n/a, published on 20 Jul 2017. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: Yes. Attackers have exploited CVE-2017-6316 in the wild since at least 25 Mar 2022.

Affected product: n/a. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-6316/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-6316/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2017-6316
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-6316
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2017-6316

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-6316/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.