# CVE-2026-55002: Microsoft SQL Server privilege escalation via external path control

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-55002-microsoft-sql-server-privilege-escalation-via-external-path  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-07-14. Updated: 2026-07-14  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-55002 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.8 · Published 2026-07-14

A security vulnerability has been identified in Microsoft SQL Server, a widely used database management system. An attacker who already has basic access to the local system could exploit this flaw to gain higher-level administrative privileges. This could allow them to access sensitive data, modify system configurations, or disrupt database operations.

Technologies: [Microsoft Sql Server 2016](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/sql-server-2016), [Microsoft Sql Server 2017](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/sql-server-2017), [Microsoft Sql Server 2019](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/sql-server-2019), [Microsoft Sql Server 2022](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/sql-server-2022), [Microsoft Sql Server 2025](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/sql-server-2025). Vendors: [Microsoft](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/microsoft).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-55002 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-55002 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-55002?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.8, published 14 July 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Microsoft Sql Server 2016 13.0.0 to 13.0.6500.1; Microsoft Sql Server 2017 14.0.0 to 14.0.3540.1; Microsoft Sql Server 2019 15.0.0.0 to 15.0.4480.2; Microsoft Sql Server 2022 16.0.0 to 16.0.1190.2; and 1 more.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-55002?** 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-2026-55002 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-55002?** Check whether you run Microsoft SQL Server 2016 Azure Connect Feature Pack, Microsoft Sql Server 2016, Microsoft Sql Server 2017 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

This vulnerability is classified as an External Control of File Name or Path (CWE-73) within Microsoft SQL Server. The flaw allows a locally authenticated attacker with low privileges to manipulate file paths used by the SQL Server process. By providing specially crafted input to a vulnerable component, the attacker can achieve local privilege escalation (LPE), potentially gaining full administrative control over the database instance. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of SQL Server ranging from 2016 to 2025. Microsoft has released security updates to address this issue across the affected versions.

## Affected products

- Microsoft SQL Server 2016 Service Pack 3 (GDR) 13.0.0 to 13.0.6500.1
- Microsoft SQL Server 2016 Service Pack 3 Azure Connect Feature Pack 13.0.0 to 13.0.7095.1
- Microsoft SQL Server 2017 (CU 31) 14.0.0 to 14.0.3540.1
- Microsoft SQL Server 2017 (GDR) 14.0.0 to 14.0.2120.1
- Microsoft SQL Server 2019 (CU 32) 15.0.0.0 to 15.0.4480.2
- Microsoft SQL Server 2019 (GDR) 15.0.0 to 15.0.2180.2
- Microsoft SQL Server 2022 (GDR) 16.0.0 to 16.0.1190.2
- Microsoft SQL Server 2022 (CU 25) 16.0.4260.1 to 16.0.4262.2
- Microsoft SQL Server 2025 (CU 6) 17.0.4060.2
- Microsoft SQL Server 2025 (GDR) 17.0.1050.2 to 17.0.1125.2

## Timeline

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

## References

- [https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-55002](https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-55002)

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- [Microsoft SQL Server remote code execution via path traversal](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-40370-microsoft-sql-server-remote-code-execution-via-path-traversal)