Microsoft SQL Server: SQL injection leading to privilege escalation
Summary
A SQL injection flaw in Microsoft SQL Server allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges over the network. The attacker needs a valid low-privilege account and network access to the SQL instance, and the attack complexity is rated high. A successful attack can impact confidentiality, integrity and availability of the database server. The NVD status is still Awaiting Analysis.
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 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
- Other branches: Unknown.
Fixed in
- SQL Server 2017 (GDR): 14.0.2150.2
- SQL Server 2017 for x64-based Systems (CU31): 14.0.3570.2
- SQL Server 2022 (GDR): 16.0.1220.3
- SQL Server 2022 for x64-based Systems (CU27): 16.0.4315.2
- SQL Server 2025 CU10: 17.0.5045.3
- SQL Server 2025 for x64-based Systems (GDR): 17.0.1155.3
- Verify these builds against the MSRC advisory. The KB article numbers per branch are Unknown.
Workaround
Unknown. No vendor workaround was found. Applying the security update is the available fix.
Exploitation
- No public proof of concept found.
- CISA SSVC: exploitation none, automatable no, technical impact total.
- Third-party aggregator lists the CVE as not in KEV. No evidence of exploitation in the wild found.
- CNA temporal metrics: exploit maturity unproven, report confidence confirmed.
Our recommendation
- Inventory all SQL Server instances and their builds.
- Apply the November 2026 security update for the matching branch, prioritized in the next maintenance window.
- Review accounts with database logon rights and remove unused or shared accounts.
- Restrict SQL Server network access to required application servers and make sure it is not reachable from the internet.
- Monitor for unusual logons and privilege changes on database servers.
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 (vendor advisory) msrc.microsoft.com
- CVE.org CNA record www.cve.org
- KB5132748 SQL Server 2025 GDR November 2026 support.microsoft.com
- Strix CVE summary (third-party) www.strix.ai
- ThreatInt CVE summary (third-party) 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 11 Nov 2026, 05:38.
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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