Gateway

Enforce the HttpOnly flag on authentication cookies

Starting from NetScaler Gateway release 13.1-37.x and later, the HttpOnly flag is available on the authentication cookies of VPN scenarios that is, NSC_AAAC and NSC_TMAS cookies. The NSC_TMAS authentication cookie is used during the nFactor authentication and the NSC_AAAC cookie is used for the authenticated session. The HttpOnly flag on a cookie restricts the cookie access using the JavaScript document cookie option. This helps in preventing cookie theft because of cross-site scripting.

Starting from Citrix Secure Access for Windows 24.8.1.x and NetScaler Gateway 14.1-34.x, the home page of Citrix Secure Access client launches successfully with HttpOnly cookie enabled on NetScaler Gateway. In the previous versions, when the HttpOnly feature was enabled, the Home page link on Citrix Secure Access client UI did not work.

Supported scenario

The HTTPOnly flag is supported for nFactor authentication.

Behavior when NetScaler AAA parameter’s HttpOnlyCookie knob is used along with Traffic Management (TM) session’s HttpOnlyCookie knob:

  • When the httpOnlyCookie knob is enabled for authentication, authorization, and auditing, it overrides the traffic management session’s HttpOnlyCookie knob during nFactor authentication. Also, both NSC_TMAS and NSC_AAAC are marked HttpOnly regardless of the session type. This applies whether it is a VPN session, TM session, or nFactor authentication.

  • If the HttpOnlyCookie knob is disabled, the HttpOnly flag is not set for a VPN session. For the authentication, authorization, and auditing scenario, the HttpOnly flag is set based on the TM session knob value.

Configure the HttpOnly feature by using the CLI

  • Enable the HttpOnly flag

     set aaa parameter -httpOnlyCookie ENABLED
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  • Check the status of the HttpOnly feature

     show aaa parameter
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Limitations

  • HttpOnly flag is not set in any classic authentication.
Enforce the HttpOnly flag on authentication cookies