# CVE-2016-9678: Citrix Provisioning Services use-after-free remote code execution

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2016-9678-citrix-provisioning-services-use-after-free-remote-code-execution  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2017-01-18. Updated: 2026-05-13  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2016-9678 · Severity: critical · CVSS 9.8 · Published 2017-01-18

Citrix Provisioning Services, a tool used to manage and stream operating system images to computers, contains a critical security flaw. An attacker can exploit this vulnerability to take full control of the affected server and execute unauthorized commands. This could lead to a complete compromise of the provisioning infrastructure, data theft, or disruption of service for all connected workstations.

Technologies: [Citrix Provisioning Services](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/provisioning-services). Vendors: [Citrix](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/citrix).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2016-9678 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2016-9678 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2016-9678?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 9.8, published 18 January 2017.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Citrix Provisioning Services before 7.12.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2016-9678?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-2016-9678 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a hosted service.

**Am I affected by CVE-2016-9678?** Check whether you run Citrix Provisioning Services at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Technical details

A use-after-free vulnerability (CWE-416) exists in Citrix Provisioning Services prior to version 7.12. The flaw is reachable over the network without authentication, as indicated by the CVSS vector AV:N/AC:L/PR:N. While the specific vulnerable component or vector is not detailed in the advisory, use-after-free bugs typically occur when a program continues to use a pointer after it has been freed, potentially allowing an attacker to corrupt memory and redirect execution flow. Successful exploitation allows for remote code execution (RCE) with the privileges of the service. Users are advised to upgrade to version 7.12 or later.

## Affected products

- Citrix Provisioning Services before 7.12

## Timeline

- 2017-01-18: disclosed
- 2017-01-18: advisory: NVD publication date

## References

- [http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/95620](http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/95620)
- [http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1037625](http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1037625)
- [https://support.citrix.com/article/CTX219580](https://support.citrix.com/article/CTX219580)

## Related threats

- [Citrix Provisioning Services information disclosure in kernel memory](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2016-9680-citrix-provisioning-services-information-disclosure-in-kernel)
- [Citrix Provisioning Services remote code execution via function pointer overwrite](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2016-9679-citrix-provisioning-services-remote-code-execution-via-function)
- [Citrix Provisioning Services buffer overflow](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2016-9676-citrix-provisioning-services-buffer-overflow)