What is the CVSS score of CVE-2026-20803?

CVE-2026-20803 has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.2 (High). CVSS vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. EPSS exploitation probability: 0.1%.

How to fix or mitigate CVE-2026-20803?

Within 7 days: Identify all affected systems and apply vendor patches promptly. Audit authentication configurations and rotate any potentially compromised credentials.

Sql Server 2022 CVE-2026-20803

HIGH

Missing Authentication for Critical Function (CWE-306)

2026-01-13 secure@microsoft.com

Authentication Bypass Microsoft Sql Server 2022 Sql Server 2025

7.2

CVSS 3.1 · Vendor: microsoft

View

Attack ChainAIDerived

Hypothetical attack flow derived from CVE metadata – not a confirmed exploit chain

Access

Establish network connection to SQL Server
Exploit

Authenticate with high-privilege credentials
Execution

Invoke unauthenticated critical function
Impact

Escalate privileges to system level

Vulnerability Assessment

Weakness	CWE CWE-306 OWASP Top 10:2025 A07:2025 - Authentication Failures ASVS 5.0 V6 - Authentication Authentication required for critical functions MITRE ATT&CK 1 technique across 1 tactic: Initial Access The technique list with ATT&CK links and the kill-chain view is part of the Basic plan and up. Sign in to read
Exploitation Conditions	High-privilege SQL Server account required; attacker must possess valid credentials for an authorized user with elevated permissions to access the vulnerable critical function over network.
Impact	CVSS 7.2 (HIGH). Attack vector: Network. Complexity: Low. Privileges required: High. User interaction: None. Exploitable via remote/network.
Exploit ScenarioDerived	A remote attacker could exploit this vulnerability to compromise the affected system.

This Week Schedule remediation this week. Why: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9).

Patch available 0.1% exploitation probability (EPSS)

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AnalysisAIv1 – Mar 12, 2026

Privilege escalation in SQL Server 2022 and 2025 stems from insufficient authentication controls on critical functions, enabling authenticated network attackers to gain elevated privileges. The vulnerability affects administrators and authenticated users with network access to affected SQL Server instances. No patch is currently available, and exploitation requires high privileges but no user interaction.

Earlier versions of this analysis (1)

v1 Mar 12, 2026 - 21:54 CVSS 7.2

Missing authentication for critical function in SQL Server allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges over a network. [CVSS 7.2 HIGH]

RemediationAI

Monitor vendor advisories for a patch. Restrict network access to the affected service where possible.

Affected Packages

microsoft sql_server_2022_cu_22_16_0_4230_2 fix: Microsoft SQL Server 2022 for x64-based Systems (CU 22) 16.0.4230.2

microsoft sql_server_2022_gdr_16_0_1165_1 fix: Microsoft SQL Server 2022 for x64-based Systems (GDR) 16.0.1165.1

microsoft sql_server_2025_gdr_17_0_1050_2 fix: Microsoft SQL Server 2025 for x64-based Systems (GDR) 17.0.1050.2

Source: OSV (Open Source Vulnerabilities)

Affects your stack

Affects 3 packages in microsoft

Checking this CVE against your own stacks and servers is part of the Basic plan and up.

Technical ContextAI · show details

Classified as CWE-306 (Missing Authentication for Critical Function). Affects Sql Server 2022. Missing authentication for critical function in SQL Server allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges over a network.

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Exploit and PoC references, threat intelligence from 22 sources

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Severity by source

Vendor (microsoft) PRIMARY 7.2 HIGH

AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Primary rating from Vendor (microsoft) · only source for this CVE.

CVSS VectorVendor: microsoft

Attack Vector

Network

Attack Complexity

Low

Privileges Required

High

User Interaction

None

Scope

Unchanged

Confidentiality

High

Integrity

High

Availability

High

DescriptionCVE.org

Missing authentication for critical function in SQL Server allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges over a network.

Executive ViewAI

Why It Matters

Organizations using Missing authentication for critical function in SQL Server face moderate risk from CVE-2026-20803, a missing authentication vulnerability rated CVSS 7.2. Attackers could bypass security controls to gain unauthorized access to protected resources and sensitive data. Organizations should apply vendor updates when available and consider compensating controls in the interim.

Business Impact: Moderate

Compensating Controls

Apply vendor patch. If immediate patching is not feasible: (1) Implement network-level access controls; (2) Enable MFA where possible; (3) Monitor authentication logs for anomalous access.

Threat Intelligence Overview

EPSS Score

0.1%

Top 82% exploitable

Data Quality

3 sources

Confidence: Low

NVD

CVE.org

EPSS

VulDB

How this decision was reached

The engine reads each signal below and applies a fixed list of rules from top to bottom. The first rule that matches sets the recommended action – like a statement, every line is shown.

SignalValue

Severity HIGH

CISA KEV No

Public POC No

EPSS 0.1%

Patch available Yes

Active threat No

Deciding rule

HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9)

What every action level means

Emergency Immediate action required. Criteria: CRITICAL + in CISA KEV (actively exploited) without patch, OR CRITICAL + EPSS > 30% without patch, OR CRITICAL + active threat signals without patch.

Act Now Prioritize within 24-48h. Criteria: in KEV with patch available, OR CRITICAL + public POC, OR HIGH + EPSS > 10%, OR CRITICAL + active threat, OR any CRITICAL severity.

This Week Schedule remediation this week. Criteria: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9). Patch within normal change window.

This Month Plan within 30 days. Criteria: MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9), lower exploitation probability. Include in regular patch cycle.

Monitor Track and reassess. Criteria: LOW severity (CVSS 0.1-3.9), minimal exploitation risk. No immediate action needed.

SSVC AssessmentENISA

Exploitation· derived

None

System Exposure· derived

Open

Automatable· derived

Priority Score

Low Medium High Critical

KEV: 0

EPSS: 0

CVSS: +36

PoC: 0

Weaponized: 0

Threat intel: 0

Gov advisory: 0

Attack Technique

Authentication Bypass CRITICAL

Authentication bypass attacks exploit flaws in the verification mechanisms that control access to systems and applications.

Affected Products (CPE)CVE.org

cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:sql_server_2022:*:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*

cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:sql_server_2025:17.0.1000.7:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*

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Same weakness CWE-306 – Missing Authentication for Critical Function

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References

Advisories & patches

ADVISORY https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-20803 ADVISORY https://vuldb.com/vuln/340741

Search Externally

GitHub PoC

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