CVE-2026-21262: SQL Server Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability

Overview

Severity
High (CVSS 8.8)
CVSS Vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:U/RL:O/RC:C
Category
Elevation of Privilege
Exploit Status
Not Exploited
Exploitation Likelihood
Less Likely
Publicly Disclosed
Yes
Patch Tuesday
2026-Mar
Released
2026-03-10
EPSS Score
0.08% (percentile: 23.7%)

Description

Improper access control in SQL Server allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges over a network.

FAQ

What privileges could be gained by an attacker who successfully exploited the vulnerability? An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could gain SQL sysadmin privileges. I am running SQL Server on my system. What action do I need to take? Update your relevant version of SQL Server. Any applicable driver fixes are included in those updates. There are GDR and/or CU (Cumulative Update) updates offered for my version of SQL Server. How do I know which update to use? First, determine your SQL Server version number. For more information on determining your SQL Server version number, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 321185 - How to determine the version, edition, and update level of SQL Server and its components. Second, in the following table, locate your version number or the version range that your version number falls within. The corresponding update is the one you need to install. Note If your SQL Server version number is not represented in the table below, your SQL Server version is no longer supported. Please upgrade to the latest Service Pack or SQL Server product to apply this and future security updates. Update Number Title Version Apply if current product version is… This security update also includes servicing releases up through… 5077466 Security update for SQL Server 2025 CU2+GDR 17.0.4020.2 17.0.4006.2 - 17.0.4015.4 KB5075211 - Previous SQL2025 RTM CU2 5077468 Security update for SQL Server 2025 RTM+GDR 17.0.1105.2 17.0.1000.7 - 17.0.1050.2 KB5073177 - Previous SQL2025 RTM GDR 5077464 Security update for SQL Server 2022 CU23+GDR 16.0.4240.4 16.0.4003.1 - 16.0.4236.2 KB5078297 - Previous SQL2022 RTM CU23 5077465 Security update for SQL Server 2022 RTM+GDR 16.0.1170.5 16.0.1000.6 - 16.0.1165.1 KB5073031 - Previous SQL2022 RTM GDR 5077469 Security update for SQL Server 2019 CU32+GDR 15.0.4460.4 15.0.4003.23 - 15.0.4455.2 KB 5068404 - Previous SQL2019 RTM CU32 GDR 5077470 Security update for SQL Server 2019 RTM+GDR 15

Affected Products (10)

SQL Server

  • Microsoft SQL Server 2017 for x64-based Systems (GDR)
  • Microsoft SQL Server 2019 for x64-based Systems (GDR)
  • Microsoft SQL Server 2016 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 3 (GDR)
  • Microsoft SQL Server 2017 for x64-based Systems (CU 31)
  • Microsoft SQL Server 2016 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 3 Azure Connect Feature Pack
  • Microsoft SQL Server 2022 for x64-based Systems (GDR)
  • Microsoft SQL Server 2025 for x64-based Systems (GDR)
  • Microsoft SQL Server 2019 for x64-based Systems (CU 32)
  • Microsoft SQL Server 2022 for x64-based Systems (CU 23)
  • Microsoft SQL Server 2025 for x64-based Systems (CU2)

Security Updates (10)

Acknowledgments

<a href="https://www.sommarskog.se/">Erland Sommarskog</a> with <a href="https://www.sommarskog.se/">Erland Sommarskog SQL-Konsult AB</a>

Revision History

  • 2026-03-10: Information published.