What is the CVSS score of CVE-2026-26116?

CVE-2026-26116 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-2026-26116?

Within 24 hours: Identify all SQL Server instances in your environment and document which versions are affected; restrict database access to only essential personnel and disable unnecessary database features. Within 7 days: Implement input validation and parameterized queries in all applications connecting to affected SQL Server instances; deploy WAF rules to detect and block SQL injection patterns. Within 30 days: Establish a vendor monitoring process for patch availability; conduct a security assessment of all database-connected applications; consider network segmentation to limit lateral movement if compromise occurs.

Sql Server 2016 CVE-2026-26116

HIGH

SQL Injection (CWE-89)

2026-03-10 secure@microsoft.com

SQLi 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
Delivery

Inject malicious SQL commands via vulnerable input
Exploit

Bypass authentication checks
Execution

Execute commands as elevated user
Impact

Escalate privileges

Vulnerability Assessment

Weakness	CWE CWE-89 OWASP Top 10:2025 A05:2025 - Injection ASVS 5.0 V1 - Encoding and Sanitization Parameterized queries, prepared statements MITRE ATT&CK 2 techniques across 2 tactics: Initial Access, Persistence 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	Authenticated access to SQL Server required. Vulnerable application must accept unsanitized user input in SQL queries without parameterized statements or input validation enabled.
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

Authenticated users can exploit SQL injection vulnerabilities in SQL Server 2016-2025 to escalate privileges and gain unauthorized access across the network. This high-severity flaw (CVSS 8.8) affects multiple SQL Server versions with no available patch, allowing attackers with valid credentials to manipulate SQL commands and compromise system integrity. Organizations running these affected versions should implement network segmentation and monitor for suspicious database activity until a patch is released.

Earlier versions of this analysis (1)

v1 Mar 12, 2026 - 21:55 CVSS 8.8

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. [CVSS 8.8 HIGH]

RemediationAI

Monitor vendor advisories for a patch. Use parameterized queries. Implement input validation. Restrict network access to the affected service where possible.

Affected Packages

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 2 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-89 (SQL Injection). 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.

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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 neutralization of special elements used in an sql command ('sql injection') in SQL Server allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges over a network.

Executive ViewAI

Why It Matters

A SQL injection vulnerability in SQL Server allows authorized users to escalate their privileges and potentially compromise sensitive data or system integrity. This affects any organization running vulnerable SQL Server instances and requires immediate attention as no patch is currently available.

Business Impact: High

Compensating Controls

Implement strict input validation and parameterized queries in all applications; deploy Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect SQL injection patterns; enforce principle of least privilege for database user accounts; enable SQL Server audit logging to detect exploitation attempts; isolate SQL Server instances on protected network segments; disable xp_cmdshell and other dangerous stored procedures; apply additional access controls and multi-factor authentication for database administrators.

Threat Intelligence Overview

EPSS Score

0.1%

Top 79% 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

SQL Injection HIGH

SQL injection exploits the way applications construct database queries by mixing user input directly into SQL statements.

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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