CVE-2026-54118: Microsoft SQL Server remote code execution via deserialization

CVE-2026-54118 · Severity: high · CVSS 8.8 · Published 2026-07-14

Microsoft SQL Server, a widely used database management system, contains a vulnerability that could allow an authorized user to execute malicious code remotely. If exploited, an attacker could gain full control over the database server, potentially leading to the theft of sensitive data, service disruption, or further compromise of the corporate network. This issue affects multiple versions of SQL Server ranging from 2016 to 2025.

Technologies: Microsoft SQL Server 2016 Service Pack 3 (GDR), Microsoft SQL Server 2017 (CU 31), Microsoft SQL Server 2019 (CU 32), Microsoft SQL Server 2022 (GDR). Vendors: Microsoft.

Quick answers

Is CVE-2026-54118 exploited in the wild?
No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-54118 being exploited in the wild.
How severe is CVE-2026-54118?
High severity, with a CVSS score of 8.8, published 14 July 2026.
Which products and versions are affected?
Microsoft SQL Server 2016 Service Pack 3 (GDR) 13.0.0 to 13.0.6500.1; Microsoft SQL Server 2017 (CU 31) 14.0.0 to 14.0.3540.1; Microsoft SQL Server 2019 (CU 32) 15.0.0.0 to 15.0.4480.2; Microsoft SQL Server 2022 (GDR) 16.0.0 to 16.0.1190.2.
Is there a fix for CVE-2026-54118?
No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.
How is CVE-2026-54118 attacked?
It is attacked over the network, in an operating system.
Am I affected by CVE-2026-54118?
Check whether you run Microsoft SQL Server 2016 Service Pack 3 (GDR), Microsoft SQL Server 2017 (CU 31), Microsoft SQL Server 2019 (CU 32) or one of the others listed at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

Technical details

A deserialization vulnerability (CWE-502) exists in Microsoft SQL Server when handling untrusted data. An attacker with low-level authenticated access to the SQL Server instance can exploit this flaw by sending specially crafted data over the network. Successful exploitation allows for remote code execution (RCE) in the context of the SQL Server service account. The vulnerability impacts various versions including SQL Server 2016, 2017, 2019, 2022, and 2025. Microsoft has released security updates to address this issue; users should apply the relevant Cumulative Update (CU) or General Distribution Release (GDR) patches.

Affected products

  • Microsoft SQL Server 2016 Service Pack 3 (GDR) 13.0.0 to 13.0.6500.1
  • Microsoft SQL Server 2017 (CU 31) 14.0.0 to 14.0.3540.1
  • Microsoft SQL Server 2019 (CU 32) 15.0.0.0 to 15.0.4480.2
  • Microsoft SQL Server 2022 (GDR) 16.0.0 to 16.0.1190.2
  • Microsoft SQL Server 2025 (CU 6) 17.0.4060.2

Timeline

  • 2026-07-14: advisory: Initial publication by Microsoft and NVD

References

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