Remote Code Execution in Microsoft SQL Server 2016 and 2017
CISA: Microsoft SQL Server Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
CVSS 3.1
8.8high
EPSS
53%p99
Published
()
KEV added
AI analysis
CVE-2019-1068 is a remote code execution vulnerability in Microsoft SQL Server caused by improper handling of the processing of internal functions (CWE-20, improper input validation). An attacker who can reach SQL Server over the network with low-privileged credentials can trigger the flawed code path and execute arbitrary code, gaining high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact on the database host. Any organization running affected Microsoft SQL Server versions — including SQL Server 2016 and SQL Server 2017 — is affected. The flaw carries a high EPSS score (52.8% probability of exploitation within 30 days, 99th percentile) and CISA added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2026-08-26, with headlines reporting it being exploited in active attacks. No public proof-of-concept is known, but the in-the-wild exploitation documented by CISA makes patching urgent; the fix shipped in Microsoft's July 2019 Patch Tuesday security updates.
What to do: Apply Microsoft's July 2019 security updates (cumulative updates) for SQL Server 2016 and SQL Server 2017 as directed in the vendor advisory, and inventory all SQL Server instances — especially those reachable on TCP 1433 from the internet — prioritizing exposed or low-privilege-accessible instances. Given the KEV listing, CISA's BOD 26-04 requires patching per vendor instructions (or discontinuing use if mitigation is unavailable) on a prioritized timeline; restrict network access to SQL Server and confirm no unexpected low-privileged accounts or unusual process activity on database hosts as a triage check.
Affected
Microsoft SQL Server
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microsoft SQL Server 2016
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microsoft SQL Server 2017
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Estimated exposure
massmillions of SQL Server deployments worldwide, with roughly 1M+ instances exposed on TCP 1433 in public internet scans — Microsoft SQL Server has one of the largest database installed bases globally and internet-wide scans routinely show on the order of a million or more SQL Server instances listening on port 1433, so the number of potentially affected…
Order-of-magnitude estimate by the model from install counts, market share and public scan data it knows; verify before quoting.
Description
A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Microsoft SQL Server when it incorrectly handles processing of internal functions, aka 'Microsoft SQL Server Remote Code Execution Vulnerability'.
CISA Known Exploited Vulnerability
Affected
Microsoft SQL Server
Required action
Apply mitigations in accordance with vendor instructions, ensuring compliance with CISA’s BOD 26-04 Prioritizing Security Updates Based on Risk (see URL in Notes) guidance and CISA’s “Forensics Triage Requirements” (see URL in Notes). Follow applicable BOD 26-04 guidance for cloud services or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable. Stakeholders are responsible for evaluating each asset's internet exposure and ensuring adherence to BOD 26-04 patching guidelines.
Actively exploited Citrix NetScaler flaw CVE-2026-8452, patched in June, now added to CISA KEV; attackers deploy web shells and run discovery commands.
CISA added CVE-2026-8452, a memory overflow vulnerability in Citrix NetScaler ADC/Gateway, to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on August 26, 2026, giving federal agencies until August 29 to remediate. Citrix disclosed and patched the flaw on June 30, 2026 in versions 14.1-72.61, 13.1-63.18, and 13.1-37.272. watchTowr Labs found the flaw can be chained into unauthenticated remote code execution and released a PoC on August 14. Previdian and Defused reported exploitation with web shells named x.php and z.php from at least three unique source IPs.
CISA added CVE-2019-1068, a high-severity remote code execution flaw in Microsoft SQL Server, to its KEV catalog after confirming exploitation in the wild.
CVE-2019-1068 (CVSS 8.8, CWE-20) is an improper input validation flaw allowing unauthenticated RCE in Microsoft SQL Server 2014 SP2/SP3, 2016, and 2017 on 32-bit and x64 builds. Exploitation requires low complexity and low privileges with no user interaction, and CISA formally added it to the KEV catalog on August 26, 2026. The CVE was originally published on July 15, 2019 and carries an EPSS score of 52.8%. Administrators must inventory affected SQL Server assets and apply vendor patches on an accelerated timeline.
CISA added six actively exploited flaws to KEV, led by Citrix NetScaler CVE-2026-8452, with federal patch deadlines set.
CISA added six flaws to the KEV catalog on August 27, 2026, citing evidence of active exploitation, led by CVE-2026-8452, an improper buffer restriction in Citrix NetScaler ADC and Gateway that can cause denial-of-service. Defused Cyber and Previdian reported active exploitation of CVE-2026-8452, with 36 attempts over 12 days from 12 attacker IPs deploying web shells x.php and z.php. The other additions cover SQL Server RCE (CVE-2019-1068), Linux kernel out-of-bounds write (CVE-2022-0995), Red Hat ABRT and libuser privilege escalations (CVE-2015-5287, CVE-2015-3246), and AjaxPro deserialization RCE (CVE-2021-23758). FCEB agencies must patch CVE-2019-1068 and CVE-2026-8452 by August 29, 2026, and the rest by September 9, 2026.
CISA warns attackers are exploiting CVE-2019-1068, a remote code execution vulnerability in Microsoft SQL Server, to run malicious commands on database servers.
CISA warned that CVE-2019-1068, a remote code execution vulnerability in Microsoft SQL Server, is being exploited in active attacks. Successful exploitation allows an attacker to execute malicious commands on a vulnerable database server, with access limited to the privileges of the SQL Server service account. The warning signals active exploitation of a long-known flaw and makes patching a priority for organizations running affected SQL Server deployments.
CISA added six flaws, including actively exploited CVE-2026-8452 in Citrix NetScaler, to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog with federal patch deadlines.
CISA added six vulnerabilities to its KEV catalog: CVE-2015-3246 and CVE-2015-5287 (Red Hat libuser race condition and ABRT privilege escalation), CVE-2019-1068 (Microsoft SQL Server RCE), CVE-2021-23758 (Ajax.NET Professional deserialization), CVE-2022-0995 (Linux Kernel out-of-bounds write) and CVE-2026-8452 (Citrix NetScaler ADC/Gateway memory buffer flaw). CVE-2026-8452 has been observed under active exploitation in the wild and can cause denial-of-service. Under BOD 22-01, federal civilian agencies must patch CVE-2019-1068 and CVE-2026-8452 by August 29, 2026, and the rest by September 9, 2026.