Microsoft SQL Server: Heap-based buffer overflow allows remote code execution
Summary
A heap-based buffer overflow in Microsoft SQL Server allows code execution over the network. The attacker needs authorized, low-privilege access, and the attack complexity is rated high. Successful exploitation could lead to full compromise of confidentiality, integrity and availability of the database server.
Affected
- SQL Server 2017 CU31 (x64-based): 14.0.3006.16 to before 14.0.3570.2
- SQL Server 2019 GDR: 15.0.0 to before 15.0.2210.4
- SQL Server 2019 CU32 (x64-based): 15.0.4003.23 to before 15.0.4510.2
- SQL Server 2022 GDR: 16.0.0 to before 16.0.1220.3
- SQL Server 2022 CU27 (x64-based): 16.0.4003.1 to before 16.0.4315.2
- SQL Server 2025 CU10: 17.0.4006.0 to before 17.0.5045.3
- SQL Server 2025 GDR (x64-based): 17.0.1050.2 to before 17.0.1155.3
- Note: The affected list differs between sources. The 2017 RTM+GDR branch (14.0.2150.2) is not listed. Confirm against the Microsoft advisory.
Fixed in
- SQL Server 2017 CU31+GDR: 14.0.3570.2 (KB 5132746)
- SQL Server 2019 RTM+GDR: 15.0.2210.4 (KB 5132751)
- SQL Server 2019 CU32+GDR: 15.0.4510.2 (KB 5132745)
- SQL Server 2022 RTM+GDR: 16.0.1220.3 (KB 5132747)
- SQL Server 2022 CU27+GDR2: 16.0.4315.2 (KB 5129300)
- SQL Server 2025 CU10+GDR: 17.0.5045.3 (KB 5129299)
- SQL Server 2025 RTM+GDR: 17.0.1155.3 (KB 5132748)
- Source: November 2026 update table of a sibling Microsoft advisory. Confirm the mapping on the advisory for this CVE.
Workaround
Unknown. No vendor workaround was found. Patching is the fix.
- Until patched, limit network access to SQL Server ports, use least-privilege accounts and restrict who can authenticate (general recommendation, not from the sources).
Exploitation
- No known exploitation in the wild.
- No public proof of concept found.
- CISA SSVC assessment: Exploitation none, Automatable no, Technical Impact total.
- No CISA KEV entry found in searches; the KEV catalogue was not verified directly.
Our recommendation
- Identify all SQL Server instances and their builds, including those used by line-of-business applications such as ERP, accounting and reporting.
- Apply the November 2026 security update for the relevant branch as soon as possible.
- Until patched, restrict network access to SQL Server ports and review accounts with login rights.
- Monitor for unusual SQL Server activity and crashes.
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-2026-116937 msrc.microsoft.com
- CVE Record CVE-2026-116937 www.cve.org
- Microsoft advisory CVE-2026-67391 (sibling, November 2026 update table) msrc.microsoft.com
- Aggregator data CVE-2026-116937 cve.threatint.com
- Strix CVE-2026-116937 www.strix.ai
- ZDI: November 2026 security update review www.thezdi.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, 05:42.
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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