Microsoft SQL Server: Heap-based buffer overflow leading to remote code execution
Summary
A heap-based buffer overflow in Microsoft SQL Server allows an attacker to execute code over the network. The attacker needs a valid low-privileged database login, and the attack complexity is high. A successful attack could compromise confidentiality, integrity and availability of the database server and connected systems.
Affected
- SQL Server 2017 for x64-based Systems (CU31): 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 for x64-based Systems (CU32): 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 for x64-based Systems (CU27): 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 for x64-based Systems (GDR): 17.0.1050.2 to before 17.0.1155.3
Fixed in
- SQL Server 2022 CU27: 16.0.4315.2 (upper bound per CVE record, to be verified on MSRC)
- SQL Server 2025 CU10: 17.0.5045.3 (upper bound per CVE record, to be verified on MSRC)
- SQL Server 2025 GDR: 17.0.1155.3 (upper bound per CVE record, to be verified on MSRC)
- SQL Server 2017 CU31, 2019 GDR, 2019 CU32 and 2022 GDR: Unknown.
- KB article numbers: Unknown.
Workaround
Unknown. No vendor workaround identified; applying the security update is the vendor's remedy.
Exploitation
- No exploitation in the wild known.
- No public proof of concept found.
- CVSS exploit code maturity is rated Unproven (E:U) by the vendor.
- CISA SSVC: exploitation none, automatable no, technical impact total.
Our recommendation
- Identify all SQL Server instances and their build numbers.
- Apply the November 2026 security update for each affected version, after verifying the fixed builds on the MSRC advisory.
- Restrict database ports to internal hosts and do not expose SQL Server to the internet.
- Review SQL logins and service accounts, and remove unused or shared accounts.
- Patch in the normal cycle; prioritise internet-reachable or widely shared instances.
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-2026-116938 www.cve.org
- Microsoft Security Update Guide: CVE-2026-116938 msrc.microsoft.com
- threatint aggregator entry cve.threatint.com
- Microsoft sibling advisory with November 2026 SQL Server update numbers msrc.microsoft.com
- SQL Server 2025 GDR KB5132748 (November 2026) support.microsoft.com
- Rapid7 Patch Tuesday November 2026 exploitability table www.rapid7.com
- Zero Day Initiative 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, 05:43.
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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