Escaping the Citrix Sandbox — Understanding Citrix Breakout

Hello security enthusiasts, and pentesters! 👋

Ever heard of Citrix breakout? No? Well, buckle up because today we’re diving into the nitty-gritty of what it means to escape the Citrix environment, how it happens, and why it is a big deal.

First, What is Citrix?

Let’s first go on the same page about Citrix. Citrix provides virtual desktop and application delivery solutions. Essentially, it allows users to access their desktops and applications from anywhere, without having to be physically present at their workstations. It is commonly used in businesses that need secure, remote access.

The core products in the Citrix suite include:

Citrix Virtual apps and desktops (formerly XenApp and XenDesktop): This product allows businesses to host and centrally manage virtual applications and desktops in the data center and deliver them to any service. This is from the company (corporate’s) end.Citrix Gateway (formerly NetScaler Gateway): A secure application and data access solution that provides remote users with secure access to their application in the cloud. This is also from the company (corporate’s) end.Citrix Workspace (Citrix Anywhere): An integrated digital workspace solution that enables users to access their apps, desktops, and files from any service. Users don’t need to worry about installing or updating applications on their personal…