Detections
Analytics

Security Updates for Microsoft SQL Server (January 2026)

high Nessus Plugin ID 283736

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Synopsis

The Microsoft SQL Server installation on the remote host is missing a security update.

Description

The Microsoft SQL Server installation on the remote host is missing a security update. It is, therefore, affected by an elevation of privilege vulnerability (CVE-2026-20803). An authenticated attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could gain elevated privileges on the SQL Server instance.

This update addresses the flaw by correcting how the SQL Server engine handles specific authorization requests during database operations.

Note that Nessus has not tested for this issue but has instead relied only on the application's self-reported version number.

Solution

Microsoft has released security updates for Microsoft SQL Server.

See Also

https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-20803

Plugin Details

Severity: High

ID: 283736

File Name: smb_nt_ms26_jan_mssql.nasl

Version: 1.2

Type: local

Agent: windows

Published: 1/14/2026

Updated: 1/16/2026

Configuration: Enable thorough checks (optional)

Supported Sensors: Nessus Agent, Nessus

Risk Information

VPR

Risk Factor: High

Score: 7.4

CVSS v2

Risk Factor: High

Base Score: 8.3

Vector: CVSS2#AV:N/AC:L/Au:M/C:C/I:C/A:C

CVSS Score Source: CVE-2026-20803

CVSS v3

Risk Factor: High

Base Score: 7.2

Vector: CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Vulnerability Information

CPE: cpe:/a:microsoft:sql_server

Required KB Items: SMB/MS_Bulletin_Checks/Possible

Patch Publication Date: 1/13/2026

Vulnerability Publication Date: 1/13/2026

Reference Information

CVE: CVE-2026-20803

CWE: 306

IAVA: 2026-A-0048

MSFT: MS25-5072936, MS25-5073031, MS25-5073177

MSKB: 5072936, 5073031, 5073177