Type Vulnerability
A stack-based buffer overflow in SQL Server could allow an authorised attacker to elevate privileges over a network.
Microsoft · Privilege escalation
SQL Server Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability
CVE-2026-96956
What this means
This is rated high severity (8 out of 10). There is no confirmed exploitation of it yet. Ask IT whether Microsoft Sql Server 2017, Microsoft Sql Server 2019 and Microsoft Sql Server 2022, and 1 more are in your estate, and treat that as the priority.
Full vendor description
Stack-based buffer overflow in SQL Server allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges over a network.
Scoring and exploitation
8.0/ 10
CVSS 3.1 base scoreHigh
Exploitable over the network with an administrator-level account, under specific conditions, and no one has to click or open anything. High impact on confidentiality, integrity and availability, and it can reach beyond the vulnerable system.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
Exploitability
Longer bar: easier to attack
Attack vectorNetworkAV:N
Attack complexityHighAC:H
Privileges requiredHighPR:H
User interactionNoneUI:N
ScopeChangedS:C
Impact
Longer bar: more harm
ConfidentialityHighC:H
IntegrityHighI:H
AvailabilityHighA:H
- ~0.4% estimated chance of attack in 30 daysModel estimate (): a probability signal, not confirmed exploitation
- Exploited in the wild
- Not confirmed in the
- Not reported
Weaknesses
CWE-121
Affected products ()
- Microsoft Sql Server 2017
- Microsoft Sql Server 2019
- Microsoft Sql Server 2022
- Microsoft Sql Server 2025
Show the raw CPE strings (4)
- 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:*
References
1 link from the CVE record, grouped by site; the vendor's advisory comes first.
msrc.microsoft.com1 linkVendor advisory
- CVE-2026-96956 (opens in a new tab)Patch · Vendor Advisory