---
id: CVE-2026-20803
title: >-
  Missing authentication for critical function in SQL Server allows an
  authorized attacker to elevate privileges over a network.
summary: >-
  Missing authentication for critical function in SQL Server allows an
  authorized attacker to elevate privileges over a network.
severity: high
cvss: 7.2
cvssVector: 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'
cwe:
  - CWE-306
vendor: microsoft
product: sql_server_2022
affected:
  - 'sql_server_2022 >= 16.0.1000.6, < 16.0.1165.1'
  - 'sql_server_2022 >= 16.0.4003.1, < 16.0.4230.2'
  - sql_server_2025 = 17.0.1000.7
patched:
  - sql_server_2022 16.0.4230.2
published: '2026-01-13'
updated: '2026-07-30'
source: NVD
sourceUrl: 'https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-20803'
references:
  - url: 'https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-20803'
    label: secure@microsoft.com
tags:
  - nvd
epss: 0.01267
epssPercentile: 0.68479
ingestedAt: '2026-07-31T06:58:51.089Z'
---

## Overview

Missing authentication for critical function in SQL Server allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges over a network.

## Affected

- `sql_server_2022 >= 16.0.1000.6, < 16.0.1165.1`
- `sql_server_2022 >= 16.0.4003.1, < 16.0.4230.2`
- `sql_server_2025 = 17.0.1000.7`

## Remediation

Upgrade past the affected range:

- `sql_server_2022 16.0.4230.2`