Microsoft SQL Server: SQL injection causing privilege escalation
Summary
Microsoft SQL Server contains an SQL injection flaw (CWE-89) that allows an authenticated attacker to elevate privileges over the network. The attacker needs a valid low-privileged database account, but no user interaction. Successful exploitation can have a high impact on confidentiality, integrity and availability. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 8.8, and NVD analysis is still pending.
Affected
- SQL Server 2017 (GDR): 14.0.0 before 14.0.2150.2
- SQL Server 2017 for x64-based Systems (CU31): 14.0.3006.16 before 14.0.3570.2
- SQL Server 2019 (GDR): 15.0.0 before 15.0.2210.4
- SQL Server 2019 for x64-based Systems (CU32): 15.0.4003.23 before 15.0.4510.2 (secondary source)
- SQL Server 2022 (GDR): 16.0.0 before 16.0.1220.3 (secondary source)
- SQL Server 2022 for x64-based Systems (CU27): 16.0.4003.1 before 16.0.4315.2 (secondary source)
- SQL Server 2025 CU10: 17.0.4006.0 before 17.0.5045.3 (secondary source)
- SQL Server 2025 for x64-based Systems (GDR): 17.0.1050.2 before 17.0.1155.3
Fixed in
- SQL Server 2025 for x64-based Systems (GDR): 17.0.1155.3, via KB5132748 (November 10, 2026)
- All other branches: Unknown. Check the MSRC advisory for the fixed versions and KB numbers.
Workaround
Unknown. No mitigation or workaround was found in the sources. Applying the security update is the recommended path.
Exploitation
- Microsoft's CVSS exploit maturity is Unproven (E:U).
- No public proof of concept and no report of exploitation in the wild were found.
- CISA SSVC: exploitation none, not automatable, total technical impact.
Our recommendation
- Patch all affected SQL Server branches once the fixed versions are confirmed in the MSRC advisory. Start with SQL Server 2025 GDR (17.0.1155.3).
- Limit which accounts hold database logins and review accounts with low privileges.
- Make sure SQL Server ports are not exposed to the internet.
- Monitor database logs for unusual queries and privilege changes until patching is complete.
Information from Microsoft (Patch Tuesday November 2026)
Public exploits
PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit and Exploit-DB list nothing for this CVE.
Research sources
- CVE.org record CVE-2026-118110 www.cve.org
- Microsoft KB5132748 (SQL Server 2025 GDR) support.microsoft.com
- MSRC Security Update Guide advisory msrc.microsoft.com
- Threatint aggregator (secondary, verify against MSRC) cve.threatint.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 10 Nov 2026, 22:32.
Original description (NVD)
Improper neutralization of special elements used in an sql command ('sql injection') 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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