PatchSiren cyber security CVE debrief
CVE-2026-54118 Microsoft CVE debrief
A HIGH severity vulnerability was found in SQL Server, which allows an authorized attacker to execute code over a network due to deserialization of untrusted data. This vulnerability affects multiple versions of SQL Server, including 2016, 2017, 2019, 2022, and 2025. The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 8.8, indicating a HIGH severity level. Security teams and administrators responsible for SQL Server installations should be aware of this vulnerability and take necessary actions to mitigate it.
- Vendor
- Microsoft
- Product
- SQL Server
- CVSS
- HIGH 8.8
- CISA KEV
- Not listed in stored evidence
- Original CVE published
- 2026-07-14
- Original CVE updated
- 2026-07-22
- Advisory published
- 2026-07-14
- Advisory updated
- 2026-07-22
Who should care
Security teams and administrators responsible for SQL Server installations should be aware of this vulnerability and take necessary actions to mitigate it. This includes reviewing and updating SQL Server installations to ensure they are running a patched version, monitoring network activity for potential exploitation attempts, and reviewing compensating controls for exposed systems while remediation is scheduled and verified.
Technical summary
The vulnerability is caused by deserialization of untrusted data in SQL Server, which allows an authorized attacker to execute code over a network. The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 8.8, indicating a HIGH severity level. This vulnerability affects multiple versions of SQL Server, including 2016, 2017, 2019, 2022, and 2025. Security teams and administrators responsible for SQL Server installations should be aware of this vulnerability and take necessary actions to mitigate it.
Defensive priority
High priority should be given to patching this vulnerability, as it allows for code execution over a network.
Recommended defensive actions
- Apply the patch provided by Microsoft
- Review and update SQL Server installations to ensure they are running a patched version
- Monitor network activity for potential exploitation attempts
- Review compensating controls for exposed systems while remediation is scheduled and verified
- Check relevant monitoring, detection, and logs for exposed assets that need extra review
Evidence notes
The CVE record was published on 2026-07-14T17:17:04.530Z and was last modified on 2026-07-22T16:49:32.987Z. The NVD entry is currently Analyzed. This vulnerability affects multiple versions of SQL Server, including 2016, 2017, 2019, 2022, and 2025. The deserialization of untrusted data vulnerability allows an authorized attacker to execute code over a network. The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 8.8, indicating a HIGH severity level.
Official resources
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CVE-2026-54118 CVE record
CVE.org
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CVE-2026-54118 NVD detail
NVD
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Source item URL
nvd_modified
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Mitigation or vendor reference
[email protected] - Vendor Advisory, Patch
AI-assisted PatchSiren debrief based on the supplied source corpus. The CVE record was published on 2026-07-14T17:17:04.530Z and has not been modified since then. The NVD entry is currently Analyzed.