Missing Authentication in SQL Server Enables Privilege Escalation

Publication date: 2026-01-13

Last updated on: 2026-01-13

Assigner: Microsoft Corporation

Description

Missing authentication for critical function in SQL Server allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges over a network.

CVSS Scores

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Meta Information

Published

2026-01-13

Last Modified

2026-01-13

Generated

2026-07-06

AI Q&A

2026-01-14

EPSS Evaluated

2026-07-05

NVD

CVE-2026-20803

Affected Vendors & Products

Vendor	Product	Version / Range
microsoft	sql_server	*

Helpful Resources

Exploitability

CWE

KEV

CWE ID	Description
CWE-306	The product does not perform any authentication for functionality that requires a provable user identity or consumes a significant amount of resources.

Attack-Flow Graph

Executive Summary

This vulnerability is a missing authentication for a critical function in Microsoft SQL Server, which allows an authorized attacker to elevate their privileges over a network. [1]

Impact Analysis

An attacker who is already authorized can exploit this vulnerability to gain higher privileges than intended, potentially leading to full control over the SQL Server and compromising confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data. [1]

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