Microsoft SQL Server: SQL injection leading to privilege escalation
Summary
Microsoft SQL Server contains an SQL injection flaw (CWE-89) that allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges over the network. The attacker needs a valid database login with low privileges and network access to the server. A successful attack can affect confidentiality, integrity and availability according to the CVSS vector. NVD analysis was still pending at the time of writing.
Affected
- SQL Server 2017 (GDR): 14.0.0 to below 14.0.2150.2
- SQL Server 2017 for x64-based Systems (CU31): 14.0.3006.16 to below 14.0.3570.2
- SQL Server 2019 (GDR): 15.0.0 to below 15.0.2210.4
- SQL Server 2019 for x64-based Systems (CU32): 15.0.4003.23 to below 15.0.4510.2
- SQL Server 2022 (GDR): 16.0.0 to below 16.0.1220.3
- SQL Server 2022 for x64-based Systems (CU27): 16.0.4003.1 to below 16.0.4315.2
- SQL Server 2025 CU10: 17.0.4006.0 to below 17.0.5045.3
- SQL Server 2025 for x64-based Systems (GDR): 17.0.1050.2 to below 17.0.1155.3
Fixed in
- Install the Microsoft security update for your SQL Server version and build.
- The fixed builds are expected to be the upper limits listed under affected. Exact build numbers and KB articles are to be confirmed in the MSRC advisory.
Workaround
Unknown. No vendor workaround has been identified. Until patched, reduce exposure: review sysadmin and other high-privilege role memberships, restrict ordinary database logins and limit network access to SQL Server ports.
Exploitation
- No exploitation in the wild is known at the time of research.
- CISA SSVC assessment: exploitation none, not automatable, total technical impact.
- No public proof of concept was found. CISA KEV and GitHub were not checked directly.
Our recommendation
- Inventory all SQL Server instances, including 2017, 2019, 2022 and 2025 GDR and CU builds.
- Apply the Microsoft security update to each affected build as soon as possible.
- Review which accounts can log in and remove unneeded high-privilege memberships.
- Restrict network access to SQL Server ports and check whether any instance is reachable from the internet or less trusted network segments.
- Monitor logs for unusual 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
- Microsoft Security Response Center advisory CVE-2026-118120 msrc.microsoft.com
- CVE.org record CVE-2026-118120 www.cve.org
- Strix CVE-2026-118120 details www.strix.ai
- ThreatInt CVE-2026-118120 details cve.threatint.com
- Vulners PT-2026-118120 vulners.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, 22:31.
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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