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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
CRITICAL 9.8
CISA KEV
Not listed in stored evidence
Original CVE published
2026-07-14
Original CVE updated
2026-08-20
Advisory published
2026-07-14
Advisory updated
2026-08-20

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.

Sources and references

Verified primary and authoritative sources

  • CVE-2026-54118 CVE Program record

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-54118

    CVE Program - Official CVE Program record with source-provided CVE metadata.

  • CVE-2026-54118 NVD vulnerability detail

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-54118

    NIST National Vulnerability Database - Official NIST NVD detail page and source-specific vulnerability assessment.

Supplemental references

Methodology and review provenance

AI-assisted synthesis based on stored public vulnerability evidence. System validation, approval state, and publication status do not by themselves establish human review of this revision. PatchSiren helps prioritize defensive review and does not prove exposure or remediation on any system.