Microsoft SQL Server: SQL injection enables privilege escalation
Summary
Microsoft SQL Server contains an SQL injection flaw (CWE-89) that allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges over the network. According to the CVSS vector, exploitation requires a valid low-privilege SQL or domain account and user interaction. The flaw is rated High (CVSS 3.1 8.0) and Microsoft has released a patch. As of 11 November 2026, no public exploit and no exploitation in the wild had been reported.
Affected
- SQL Server 2017 (GDR): 14.0.0 to before 14.0.2150.2
- SQL Server 2017 for x64 (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 (CU32): 15.0.4003.23 to before 15.0.4510.2 (from a third-party mirror, to be verified)
- SQL Server 2022 (GDR): 16.0.0 to before 16.0.1220.3
- SQL Server 2022 for x64 (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 (GDR): 17.0.1050.2 to before 17.0.1155.3
The CVE record was incomplete in places; verify the full product list on MSRC.
Fixed in
- SQL Server 2017 (GDR): 14.0.2150.2
- SQL Server 2017 CU31: 14.0.3570.2
- SQL Server 2019 (GDR): 15.0.2210.4
- SQL Server 2019 CU32: 15.0.4510.2 (unverified)
- SQL Server 2022 (GDR): 16.0.1220.3
- SQL Server 2022 CU27: 16.0.4315.2
- SQL Server 2025 CU10: 17.0.5045.3
- SQL Server 2025 for x64 (GDR): 17.0.1155.3
The fixed builds are the first builds after each affected range; confirm them against the MSRC advisory.
Workaround
Unknown. No vendor workaround was identified; the patch is the stated remedy.
- Until patched, limit SQL logins and application account privileges.
- Keep port 1433 and the SQL Server Browser off the internet (general practice, not from the vendor).
Exploitation
- No public proof of concept and no known exploitation in the wild as of 11 November 2026.
- Rapid7 rates it 'Exploitation Less Likely'. The CVSS exploit maturity is Unproven (E:U).
- Not found in the CISA KEV catalogue in research, but this should be checked directly.
Our recommendation
- Identify all SQL Server instances and their builds, and compare them with the fixed builds.
- Apply the Microsoft update, prioritising internal SQL servers that application or service accounts can reach.
- Confirm that no SQL Server instance is exposed to the internet.
- Review shared service accounts and remove unnecessary privileges.
- Monitor for unusual SQL activity and privilege changes.
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-2026-118117 www.cve.org
- Microsoft Security Update Guide CVE-2026-118117 msrc.microsoft.com
- Rapid7 Patch Tuesday November 2026 www.rapid7.com
- Strix CVE-2026-118117 (third-party mirror) www.strix.ai
- threatint CVE-2026-118117 (third-party aggregator) 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, 01:53.
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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