Microsoft SQL Server: Heap-based buffer overflow enables remote code execution
Summary
A heap-based buffer overflow in Microsoft SQL Server allows code execution over the network. The CVE record rates it CVSS 7.2 (v3.1) with high privileges required (PR:H), so an attacker needs existing high-privilege database access first, for example through a compromised administrator account or an insider. A successful attack could affect confidentiality, integrity and availability.
Affected
- SQL Server 2022 (GDR): 16.0.0 before 16.0.1220.3
- SQL Server 2022 for x64-based Systems (CU27): 16.0.4003.1 before 16.0.4315.2
- SQL Server 2025 CU10: 17.0.4006.0 before 17.0.5045.3
- SQL Server 2025 for x64-based Systems (CU9): 17.0.4006.2 before 17.0.5015.4 (range taken from a third-party aggregator, verify with MSRC)
- SQL Server 2025 for x64-based Systems (GDR): 17.0.1050.2 before 17.0.1155.3 (range taken from a third-party aggregator, verify with MSRC)
- SQL Server 2017 and 2019: Unknown.
Fixed in
- SQL Server 2022 (GDR): 16.0.1220.3
- SQL Server 2022 CU27 (x64): 16.0.4315.2
- SQL Server 2025 CU10: 17.0.5045.3
- SQL Server 2025 CU9 (x64): 17.0.5015.4
- SQL Server 2025 GDR (x64): 17.0.1155.3
- Fixes are part of Microsoft's November 2026 security release. Reported KB articles include 5129299 (2025 CU10) and 5129300 (2022 CU27); verify them on MSRC and review known issues before rollout.
Workaround
Unknown. No vendor-documented workaround was found. Patching is the primary control.
Exploitation
- No evidence of exploitation in the wild was found.
- The CVSS exploit code maturity is 'unproven' (E:U).
- No public proof-of-concept exploit was found.
Our recommendation
- Identify all SQL Server instances and their exact builds, including GDR and CU lines.
- Patch to the fixed builds in the November 2026 release after checking the MSRC page and KB known-issue notes.
- Make sure database servers are not reachable from the internet, and restrict access to known application and admin hosts.
- Review and reduce sysadmin or equivalent rights.
- Re-check NVD once analysis is published, as the CVSS and CWE data may change.
Information from Microsoft (Patch Tuesday November 2026)
Public exploits
PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit and Exploit-DB list nothing for this CVE.
Research sources
- CVE Record CVE-2026-116933 (CVE.org) www.cve.org
- Microsoft Security Update Guide CVE-2026-116933 msrc.microsoft.com
- Strix CVE-2026-116933 (third-party aggregator) www.strix.ai
- Microsoft November 2026 Patch Tuesday overview (KB reference and known issues) www.ntcompatible.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, 06:51.
Original description (NVD)
Heap-based buffer overflow in SQL Server allows an authorized attacker to execute code 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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