Microsoft SQL Server: SQL injection leading to privilege escalation
Summary
Microsoft SQL Server contains an SQL injection flaw (CWE-89) that can lead to an elevation of privilege. An authenticated attacker with a low-privilege database account can exploit it over the network, but user interaction is required. Successful exploitation could affect confidentiality, integrity and availability. Exploitation has not been observed and no public proof of concept was found.
Affected
- SQL Server 2017 (GDR): 14.0.0 to before 14.0.2150.2
- 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 2017 (GDR): 14.0.2150.2
- SQL Server 2017 CU31 line: 14.0.3570.2
- SQL Server 2019 (GDR): 15.0.2210.4
- SQL Server 2019 CU32 line: 15.0.4510.2
- SQL Server 2022 (GDR): 16.0.1220.3
- SQL Server 2022 CU27 line: 16.0.4315.2
- SQL Server 2025 CU10 line: 17.0.5045.3
- SQL Server 2025 (GDR): 17.0.1155.3
The 2022 and 2025 values are from third-party trackers and must be verified against the MSRC advisory.
Workaround
Unknown.
Exploitation
- No known exploitation in the wild.
- Rapid7 rates exploitation as less likely and marks public disclosure as No.
- No public proof of concept found.
Our recommendation
- Apply the matching Microsoft security update for your SQL Server build and verify the build numbers against the MSRC advisory.
- Check whether SQL Server is reachable from the internet and restrict ports 1433 and 1434.
- Review database accounts and application logins for broad rights and remove shared accounts.
- Prioritise servers holding customer data or running web applications, especially 2017 and 2019 builds, and patch in the next maintenance window.
- Include CVE-2026-118112 and CVE-2026-118114 in the same patch cycle, as they come from the same family.
Information from Microsoft (Patch Tuesday November 2026)
Public exploits
PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit and Exploit-DB list nothing for this CVE.
Research sources
- MSRC Security Update Guide: CVE-2026-118113 msrc.microsoft.com
- CVE Record: CVE-2026-118113 www.cve.org
- Microsoft KB5132748: SQL Server 2025 GDR, November 2026 support.microsoft.com
- Strix: CVE-2026-118113 www.strix.ai
- ThreatInt: CVE-2026-118113 cve.threatint.com
- Rapid7: Patch Tuesday November 2026 www.rapid7.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, 01:56.
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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