What is the CVSS score of CVE-2026-26115?

CVE-2026-26115 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%.

How to fix or mitigate CVE-2026-26115?

Within 24 hours: Inventory all SQL Server installations and document which versions are affected; restrict database access to only essential users and implement strict role-based access controls. Within 7 days: Deploy network segmentation to isolate SQL Server instances; enable enhanced logging and monitoring for privilege escalation attempts; conduct a security audit of current user permissions. Within 30 days: Evaluate vendor patch availability and test in non-production environments; develop incident response procedures specific to this vulnerability; consider migrating critical workloads to patched systems if alternative infrastructure exists.

Sql Server 2016 CVE-2026-26115

HIGH

Improper Validation of Specified Type of Input (CWE-1287)

2026-03-10 secure@microsoft.com

Information Disclosure Microsoft Sql Server 2016 Sql Server 2017 Sql Server 2019 Sql Server 2022 Sql Server 2025

8.8

CVSS 3.1 · NVD

View

Attack ChainAIDerived

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

Access

Authenticate as low-privilege SQL Server user
Exploit

Submit crafted input bypassing type validation
Execution

Trigger privilege escalation logic
Impact

Gain high-privilege database access

Vulnerability Assessment

Weakness	CWE CWE-1287 OWASP Top 10:2025 A06:2021 - Vulnerable and Outdated Components ASVS 5.0 V2 - Validation and Business Logic Specified type validation
Exploitation Conditions	Attacker must possess valid SQL Server user credentials with initial database access. The vulnerability requires network connectivity to SQL Server and exploitation of improper input type validation in a specific server function or stored procedure.
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

Privilege escalation in SQL Server 2016-2025 stems from insufficient input validation, enabling authenticated network attackers to gain elevated permissions. The high CVSS score of 8.8 reflects complete compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability, though no patch is currently available. Organizations running affected SQL Server versions should prioritize access controls and network segmentation until remediation is released.

Earlier versions of this analysis (1)

v1 Mar 12, 2026 - 21:55 CVSS 8.8

Improper validation of specified type of input 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

Improper validation of specified type of input 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

NVD PRIMARY 8.8 HIGH

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

Primary rating from NVD · only source for this CVE.

CVSS VectorNVD

Attack Vector

Network

Attack Complexity

Low

Privileges Required

Low

User Interaction

None

Scope

Unchanged

Confidentiality

High

Integrity

High

Availability

High

DescriptionCVE.org

Improper validation of specified type of input in SQL Server allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges over a network.

Executive ViewAI

Why It Matters

A critical SQL Server vulnerability (CVE-2026-26115) allows authorized users to escalate privileges and gain unauthorized system access across the network. With no patch currently available and a CVSS score of 8.8, this poses a significant risk to any organization running affected SQL Server instances, potentially compromising sensitive data and system integrity.

Business Impact: High

Compensating Controls

Implement network segmentation and restrict SQL Server access to trusted IP ranges only; enforce multi-factor authentication for all database administrative accounts; disable unnecessary SQL Server features and stored procedures; apply database-level firewall rules (Azure SQL Database) or host-based firewalls; enable SQL Server audit logging for all privilege-related activities; implement privileged access management (PAM) solutions to monitor and control admin account usage; consider deploying Web Application Firewall rules if SQL Server is accessed through applications; conduct regular access reviews and revoke unnecessary elevated permissions immediately.

Threat Intelligence Overview

EPSS Score

0.1%

Top 75% exploitable

Data Quality

4 sources

Confidence: Medium

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

SSVC Decision· derived

Scheduled

Exploitation· derived

None

System Exposure· derived

Open

Automatable· derived

Human Impact

High

Priority Score

Low Medium High Critical

KEV: 0

EPSS: 0

CVSS: +44

PoC: 0

Weaponized: 0

Threat intel: 0

Gov advisory: 0

Attack Technique

Information Disclosure MEDIUM

Information disclosure occurs when an application unintentionally exposes sensitive data that aids attackers in reconnaissance or directly compromises security.