What is the CVSS score of CVE-2026-21262?

CVE-2026-21262 has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.8 (High). CVSS vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. EPSS exploitation probability: 0.1%.

Is there a public PoC exploit available for CVE-2026-21262?

Yes, a public proof-of-concept exploit is available for CVE-2026-21262. Prioritise patching immediately. EPSS: 0.1%.

How to fix or mitigate CVE-2026-21262?

Within 24 hours: Inventory all SQL Server instances in production and non-production environments; restrict SQL Server network access to authorized personnel only using firewall rules. Within 7 days: Implement enhanced monitoring and audit logging for privilege escalation attempts; disable unnecessary SQL Server features and service accounts; conduct access review of current SQL Server administrative accounts. Within 30 days: Develop and test a migration plan to patched SQL Server versions once available; implement network segmentation to isolate SQL Server systems; deploy anomaly detection for unusual administrative activity.

Sql Server 2016 CVE-2026-21262

HIGH

Improper Access Control (CWE-284)

2026-03-10 secure@microsoft.com

Authentication Bypass Microsoft Sql Server 2016 Sql Server 2017 Sql Server 2019 Sql Server 2022 Sql Server 2025

8.8

CVSS 3.1 · Vendor: microsoft

View

Attack ChainAIDerived

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

Access

Authenticate as low-privilege SQL Server user
Exploit

Send crafted SQL query
Execution

Trigger privilege escalation vulnerability
Impact

Execute commands as system administrator

Vulnerability Assessment

Weakness	CWE CWE-284 OWASP Top 10:2025 A01:2025 - Broken Access Control ASVS 5.0 V8 - Authorization Access control enforcement MITRE ATT&CK 1 technique across 1 tactic: Defense Evasion 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	Attacker requires valid SQL Server credentials with login privileges. Affected SQL Server must be accessible over network. Works against default SQL Server installations without additional hardening applied.
Impact	CVSS 8.8 (HIGH). Attack vector: Network. Complexity: Low. Privileges required: Low. 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

SQL Server 2016-2025 contains an improper access control flaw that allows authenticated network attackers to escalate privileges without user interaction. Public exploit code exists for this vulnerability, which carries a CVSS score of 8.8 and affects confidentiality, integrity, and availability. No patch is currently available.

Earlier versions of this analysis (1)

v1 Mar 12, 2026 - 21:55 CVSS 8.8

Improper access control in SQL Server allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges over a network. [CVSS 8.8 HIGH]

RemediationAI

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

Affected Packages

microsoft sql_server_2016_azure_connect_feature_pack_13_0_7075_5 fix: Microsoft SQL Server 2016 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 3 Azure Connect Feature Pack 13.0.7075.5

microsoft sql_server_2016_gdr_13_0_6480_4 fix: Microsoft SQL Server 2016 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 3 (GDR) 13.0.6480.4

microsoft sql_server_2017_cu_31_14_0_3520_4 fix: Microsoft SQL Server 2017 for x64-based Systems (CU 31) 14.0.3520.4

microsoft sql_server_2017_gdr_14_0_2100_4 fix: Microsoft SQL Server 2017 for x64-based Systems (GDR) 14.0.2100.4

microsoft sql_server_2019_cu_32_15_0_4460_4 fix: Microsoft SQL Server 2019 for x64-based Systems (CU 32) 15.0.4460.4

microsoft sql_server_2019_gdr_16_0_1170_5 fix: Microsoft SQL Server 2019 for x64-based Systems (GDR) 16.0.1170.5

microsoft sql_server_2022_cu_23_16_0_4240_4 fix: Microsoft SQL Server 2022 for x64-based Systems (CU 23) 16.0.4240.4

microsoft sql_server_2022_gdr_16_0_1170_5 fix: Microsoft SQL Server 2022 for x64-based Systems (GDR) 16.0.1170.5

microsoft sql_server_2025_cu2_17_0_4020_2 fix: Microsoft SQL Server 2025 for x64-based Systems (CU2) 17.0.4020.2

microsoft sql_server_2025_gdr_17_0_1105_2 fix: Microsoft SQL Server 2025 for x64-based Systems (GDR) 17.0.1105.2

Source: OSV (Open Source Vulnerabilities)

Affects your stack

Affects 10 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-284 (Improper Access Control). Improper access control 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 8.8 HIGH

AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/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

Low

User Interaction

None

Scope

Unchanged

Confidentiality

High

Integrity

High

Availability

High

Lifecycle Timeline

PoC Detected

Mar 13, 2026 - 19:33 vuln.today

Public exploit code

CVE Published

Mar 10, 2026 - 18:18 nvd

HIGH 8.8

DescriptionCVE.org

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

Executive ViewAI

Why It Matters

A HIGH severity vulnerability in SQL Server (CVE-2026-21262) allows authorized users to gain unauthorized elevated privileges across the network, potentially compromising data confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Organizations running affected SQL Server instances face immediate risk of insider threats and lateral movement attacks, with no vendor patch currently available.

Business Impact: High

Compensating Controls

Implement strict network segmentation isolating SQL Server systems from untrusted networks; restrict SQL Server service account permissions to minimum required privileges; enable SQL Server audit logging for all administrative and privilege-related activities; disable SQL Server features not actively in use; implement database-level role-based access controls with principle of least privilege; deploy network intrusion detection signatures for SQL Server exploitation attempts; enforce multi-factor authentication for SQL Server administrative access; monitor and log all remote administrative connections; consider temporary restriction of remote SQL Server access until patch availability.

Threat Intelligence Overview

EPSS Score

0.1%

Top 76% exploitable

Exploit

POC

Public exploit code exists

Data Quality

5 sources

Confidence: Medium

NVD

CVE.org

EPSS

GitHub

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 Yes

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

SSVC Decision· derived

Scheduled

Exploitation· derived

Poc

System Exposure· derived

Open

Automatable· derived

Human Impact

High

Priority Score

Low Medium High Critical

KEV: 0

EPSS: 0

CVSS: +44

PoC: +20

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_2016:*:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*

cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:sql_server_2017:*:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*

cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:sql_server_2019:*:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*

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

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

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