Microsoft SQL Server: Elevation of privilege through unnecessary privileges
Summary
Microsoft SQL Server contains an elevation of privilege flaw (CWE-250, execution with unnecessary privileges). An authorized attacker with network access and a low-privileged SQL login could gain higher privileges in the database, potentially up to sysadmin-level control. The attack complexity is high, and the flaw is not exploitable without valid credentials. Microsoft has released fixes in the November 2026 SQL Server updates.
Affected
- SQL Server 2017 (GDR): 14.0.0 to below 14.0.2150.2
- SQL Server 2017 for x64-based Systems (CU31): 14.0.3006.16 to below 14.0.3570.2
- SQL Server 2019 (GDR): 15.0.0 to below 15.0.2210.4
- SQL Server 2019 for x64-based Systems (CU32): 15.0.4003.23 to below 15.0.4510.2
- SQL Server 2022 (GDR): 16.0.0 to below 16.0.1220.3
- SQL Server 2022 for x64-based Systems (CU27): 16.0.4003.1 to below 16.0.4315.2
- SQL Server 2025 CU10: 17.0.4006.0 to below 17.0.5045.3
- SQL Server 2025 for x64-based Systems (GDR): 17.0.1050.2 to below 17.0.1155.3
Fixed in
- Apply the November 10, 2026 SQL Server update for your branch (GDR or CU).
- Fixed builds per the CVE record upper bounds: 2017 GDR 14.0.2150.2; 2017 CU31 14.0.3570.2; 2019 GDR 15.0.2210.4; 2019 CU32 15.0.4510.2; 2022 GDR 16.0.1220.3; 2022 CU27 16.0.4315.2; 2025 CU10 17.0.5045.3; 2025 GDR 17.0.1155.3.
- Verify all builds against the MSRC advisory and KB5132748 before rollout.
Workaround
Unknown. No vendor workaround was found. Patching is the recommended fix.
Exploitation
- Not known to be exploited. CISA SSVC: exploitation none, automatable no, technical impact total.
- Rapid7 rates exploitation as less likely.
- Public proof-of-concept status is unclear; sources conflict. Recheck before relying on either claim.
Our recommendation
- Identify all SQL Server instances (2017 to 2025, GDR and CU branches) and their current builds.
- Apply the November 2026 update to each instance and verify the build afterwards.
- Confirm that SQL Server ports are not reachable from the internet, and restrict access from DMZ and partner networks.
- Review sysadmin and other high-privilege role memberships, and remove shared or unused SQL logins.
- Monitor for unusual privilege changes and recheck NVD and MSRC for a CWE confirmation and exploitation updates.
Information from Microsoft (Patch Tuesday November 2026)
Public exploits
PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit and Exploit-DB list nothing for this CVE.
Research sources
- Microsoft Security Response Center: CVE-2026-116929 msrc.microsoft.com
- Microsoft KB5132748: SQL Server 2025 GDR, November 2026 support.microsoft.com
- Strix: CVE-2026-116929 www.strix.ai
- Rapid7: Patch Tuesday, November 2026 www.rapid7.com
- OffSeq Radar: SQL Server vulnerabilities fixed radar.offseq.com
Researched and written up in English and German by an AI (Claude by Anthropic) based on NVD, CISA, EPSS and the sources listed. The vendor information is authoritative. Researched on 11 Nov 2026, 05:44.
Original description (NVD)
Execution with unnecessary privileges in SQL Server allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges over a network.
NVD references (1)
Sources
The tracker combines official, freely usable data sources – updated continuously:
- NVD (NIST) – CVEs, rating (CVSS), affected products
- CISA KEV – vulnerabilities confirmed by CISA as actively exploited
- CISA Vulnrichment – CISA assessment (SSVC) in the official CVE record
- FIRST EPSS – probability of exploitation
- Microsoft MSRC – Patch Tuesday: vulnerabilities, severity, updates
- PoC-in-GitHub – public proof-of-concept repositories
- Metasploit (Rapid7) – modules of the Metasploit Framework
- Exploit-DB (OffSec) – archive of public exploits (links only)
- Patch days: official vendor pages (linked per vendor) (Vendor patch days)
This product uses data from the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. EPSS data © FIRST.org.
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