High severity · published Jan 13, 2026
CVE-2026-20803
Microsoft SQL Server Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability
7.2
CVSS
1.2%
EPSS
No
On KEV
Description
Missing authentication for critical function in SQL Server allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges over a network.
CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Attack vector
Network
Complexity
Low
Privileges
High
User interaction
None
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High
Scope
Unchanged
Exploitation
Is it being used?
Exploit prediction (EPSS)1.2% · higher than 69% of CVEs
Exploited in the wildNo evidence yet
CISA KEVNot listed
Ransomware campaign useNot known
Affected products
Which versions
MS
Microsoft SQL Server 2022 (GDR) · Microsoft
16.0.0 before 16.0.1165.1 · source: vendor
MS
Microsoft SQL Server 2022 for x64-based Systems (CU 22) · Microsoft
16.0.0.0 before 16.0.4230.2 · source: vendor
MS
Microsoft SQL Server 2025 for x64-based Systems (GDR) · Microsoft
17.0.1050.2 before 17.0.1050.2 · source: vendor
SS
Sql Server 2022 · Microsoft
16.0.1000.6 before 16.0.1165.1; 16.0.4003.1 before 16.0.4230.2 · source: NVD
SS
Sql Server 2025 · Microsoft
17.0.1000.7 · source: NVD
References
NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-20803
CVE.org
https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-20803
Vendor Advisory
https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-20803
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