CriticalCVE-2019-1068

Microsoft SQL Server Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (CVE-2019-1068)

Published 15.07.2019Last modified 26.08.2026In CISA KEV since 26.08.2026Sources: CVE.org

Actively exploited

What is affected, what to do

An attacker can execute arbitrary code in the context of the SQL Server Database Engine service account via a remote code execution (RCE) vulnerability. This affects specific versions of Microsoft SQL Server 2016 and 2017 as listed. The vulnerability is actively exploited in the wild, as indicated by its inclusion in the CISA KEV catalog. Immediate patching to the latest versions is crucial to mitigate the risk.

The vulnerability is being actively exploited; treat it as a priority. Update sql_server_2016 to version 13.0.5366.0, sql_server_2017 to version 14.0.3192.2. Immediate actions, mitigation and detection rules are in the runbook below.

Affected: Microsoft SQL Server eq 2014 Service Pack 2 for 32-bit Systems (CU)..2014 Service Pack 2 for 32-bit Systems (CU)
Microsoft SQL Server eq 2014 Service Pack 2 for x64-based Systems (CU)..2014 Service Pack 2 for x64-based Systems (CU)
Microsoft SQL Server eq 2016 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 (CU)..2016 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 (CU)
Microsoft SQL Server eq 2017 for x64-based Systems (CU)..2017 for x64-based Systems (CU)
Microsoft SQL Server eq 2016 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2 (CU)..2016 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2 (CU)

Not sure whether and how you are affected? Ask a question about this vulnerability

Metrics

8.8

Priority

XIEM Effective CVSS: highest available CVSS rating from NVD and vendor data.

Source: NVD, CVSS v3

8.8

CVSS v3

Severity High on the scale from 0 to 10.

Source: CVE.org

57.3 %

EPSS score

High — model estimates ≥ 50% chance of real-world exploitation within 30 days.

Source: FIRST EPSS, percentile 99.07

Show all metrics

Severity: Critical
Priority (0–325) The priority score is a consolidated metric that condenses several individual signals into a single, action-guiding ranking: technical severity (CVSS), exploitation likelihood (EPSS), known-exploited status (KEV) and the context of the affected asset. The aim is to answer the only truly important question in vulnerability management: what first? Read in glossary: 222.52 Methodology
Exploit maturity An exploit is code or a technique that specifically uses a concrete vulnerability to force unintended behaviour — such as executing code or escalating privileges. It is the tool that turns a theoretical flaw into a practical attack. Read in glossary: actively exploited
XIEM Effective CVSS XIEM® is the tiered managed-security operating model from NEOSEC and a registered trademark of NEOSEC GmbH. It extends classic SIEM — the central collection, normalisation and correlation of security-relevant events — with endpoint forensics, network visibility and deception technology, and consolidates them into three building tiers: Sentry, Orchestrate and Command. Read in glossary: 8.8 Methodology
CVSS v3 CVSS is the globally established, open standard for assessing the technical severity of a vulnerability on a scale from 0 to 10. It describes how easily a flaw can be exploited and what damage it can cause — but not how likely its actual exploitation is. CVSS and the complementary EPSS deliberately answer different questions. Read in glossary: 8.8
EPSS score The EPSS score is the absolute model output for an individual vulnerability: the estimated probability of real-world exploitation within the next 30 days, expressed as a value between 0 and 1 (i.e. 0 % to 100 %). A score of 0.42 means „the model estimates a 42 % chance of real-world exploitation within 30 days“. Read in glossary: 57.3 %; High — model estimates ≥ 50% chance of real-world exploitation within 30 days.
EPSS percentile The EPSS percentile is the relative position of a vulnerability within all EPSS-scored CVEs, expressed as a value between 0 and 1. A percentile of 0.90 means „this CVE has a higher EPSS score than 90 % of all other scored CVEs“. Unlike the EPSS score, it is not a probability — but a positioning within a ranking. Read in glossary: 99.07; Critical — this CVE ranks in the top fifth of all CVEs scored today (rank ≥ 80%).
KEV status The KEV catalogue is a list maintained by the US authority CISA of vulnerabilities for which active exploitation in the wild has been confirmed. It answers not the question „how severe?“ but „is it already being attacked?“ — thereby sharply prioritising patching. Read in glossary: Actively exploited
Published: 15.07.2019
In CISA KEV since The KEV catalogue is a list maintained by the US authority CISA of vulnerabilities for which active exploitation in the wild has been confirmed. It answers not the question „how severe?“ but „is it already being attacked?“ — thereby sharply prioritising patching. Read in glossary: 26.08.2026
CISA assessment (SSVC): Exploitation: active · not automatable · Technical impact: total; Source: CISA Vulnrichment, as of 26 August 2026
CWE CWE is a catalogue of typical weakness types in software and hardware — such as flawed input validation, unsafe memory handling or poor authentication. Where a CVE names a concrete vulnerability in a concrete product, a CWE describes the underlying class of defect. Read in glossary: CWE-20

Response and mitigation

Why act now?

Prioritisation rationale

This flaw is network-reachable with low complexity and needs only a low-privileged database login. Any leaked, guessed, or config-file-embedded SQL credential therefore becomes a path to code execution as the service account, with full impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Exploitation likelihood is rated very high, placing it among the CVEs most likely to be exploited. CISA has not flagged ransomware use, but database servers remain prime targets for data theft, cryptomining, and lateral movement. Treat internet-facing instances, instances broadly reachable from client networks, and those using SQL authentication with a privileged service account as critical and patch them within 24 hours. Tightly segmented internal instances with few, well-managed logins can follow in an expedited regular patch cycle.

01
Runbook step 1
Immediate response (0-24 h)
- Inventory: Enumerate all SQL Server instances and pull build numbers (SELECT SERVERPROPERTY('ProductVersion'), SERVERPROPERTY('ProductLevel');). Affected builds per the context include SQL Server 2016 (13.0.4001.0–13.0.4259.0, 13.0.4411.0–13.0.4604.0, 13.0.5026.0–13.0.5101.9, 13.0.5149.0–13.0.5366.0) and SQL Server 2017 (14.0.1000.169–14.0.2027.2, 14.0.3006.16–14.0.3192.2). Other SQL Server versions are also listed, so verify their builds against the vendor advisory.
- Patch: Microsoft's security update for CVE-2019-1068 is available. Pick the GDR or CU branch that matches your installed build, and look up exact KB numbers and target builds in the Microsoft Security Update Guide. The target is a build above the upper bound of your affected range. Patch internet-facing and DMZ instances first, then instances with many application or user logins.
- Cut exposure: Immediately block TCP 1433 (or the dynamic ports of named instances) and UDP 1434 (SQL Browser) from the internet and client networks. Allow access only from application servers and admin jump hosts.
- Review logins: Exploitation needs only a low-privileged authenticated session, so list every SQL login and Windows login with connect rights. Disable unused, weak, and shared logins, and rotate passwords for SQL-authentication accounts.
- Compromise assessment: On exposed instances, review child processes of sqlservr.exe plus logins, jobs, and assemblies created since exposure (see detection). If anything turns up, treat the Database Engine service account as compromised and reset it or migrate it to a gMSA.
02
Runbook step 2
Mitigation layers
- Network segmentation: Place database servers in a dedicated VLAN or zone. Inbound, allow only 1433/TCP from named application servers. Block outbound internet access and SMB (445/TCP) towards clients from the DB tier to hamper payload staging and lateral movement.
- Least privilege for the service account: Code runs as the engine service account. Use a virtual service account or gMSA with no local admin or domain rights, and never reuse a service account across servers.
- SQL Server surface reduction: Disable xp_cmdshell, Ole Automation Procedures, clr enabled, and Ad Hoc Distributed Queries via sp_configure unless strictly required. Minimise membership in sysadmin and db_owner, and grants of CONTROL SERVER.
- IAM/authentication: Prefer Windows authentication and turn off mixed mode where feasible. Disable and rename sa, and require MFA-protected jump hosts for admin access.
- Endpoint hardening: Use an EDR, ASR, or WDAC/AppLocker policy to block, or at least alert on, cmd.exe, powershell.exe, rundll32.exe, certutil.exe, and bitsadmin.exe spawned by sqlservr.exe.
- IPS: The advisory does not identify a vendor-specific signature. Instead, alert on or drop TDS traffic (1433/TCP) from unexpected source networks via Suricata or firewall policy.
03
Runbook step 3
Detection rules
- Process ancestry (Sysmon EID 1 / Security 4688): Look for shells, LOLBins, or script hosts spawned by sqlservr.exe. KQL: DeviceProcessEvents | where InitiatingProcessFileName =~ "sqlservr.exe" and FileName in~ ("cmd.exe","powershell.exe","pwsh.exe","rundll32.exe","certutil.exe","bitsadmin.exe","mshta.exe")
- File/network (Sysmon EID 11 / EID 3): Flag sqlservr.exe writing executables (.exe, .dll, .ps1) outside data and log directories, or opening outbound connections to external IPs. Sigma shape: Image|endswith: '\sqlservr.exe' with TargetFilename|endswith: ['.exe','.dll','.ps1'].
- SQL Server audit / Application log: Watch for event 15457 (configuration change, e.g. xp_cmdshell enabled) and event 33205 (SQL Audit) showing CREATE ASSEMBLY, sp_configure, CREATE LOGIN, or ALTER SERVER ROLE. Bursts of event 18456 (failed logins) point to credential brute-forcing ahead of exploitation.
- New persistence: Check for new SQL Agent jobs (msdb.dbo.sysjobs, date_created column) with CmdExec or PowerShell steps, new services (System 7045), or scheduled tasks (Security 4698) on DB hosts.
- Network telemetry (Zeek/Suricata): Flag TDS sessions on 1433/TCP from sources outside the application-server allowlist, especially from client VLANs or the internet.

Detection rules

No NEOSEC detection rule is available for this vulnerability yet.

Classification under NIS2 and CRA

Rule-based classification from exploitation status and severity. It does not replace a case-by-case assessment.

NIS2 NIS2 is EU Directive (EU) 2022/2555 to raise the level of cybersecurity across the Union. It substantially broadens obligations compared with the first NIS directive: more sectors, mandatory risk management, staged reporting duties and personal accountability of senior management. Read in glossary: Actively exploited: treat the vulnerability as a priority in vulnerability handling under Art. 21(2)(e) NIS2. If it is exploited in your environment, check the reporting obligation under Art. 23 (early warning within 24 hours).
CRA The CRA is EU Regulation (EU) 2024/2847 setting horizontal cybersecurity requirements for „products with digital elements“ — from industrial controllers and software to connected consumer devices. For the first time manufacturers must ensure security across the entire product lifecycle, handle vulnerabilities and provide security updates. Read in glossary: Since 11.09.2026, manufacturers of affected products with digital elements must report actively exploited vulnerabilities under Art. 14 CRA, with an early warning within 24 hours via ENISA's single reporting platform.
ISO/IEC 27001 ISO/IEC 27001 is the internationally leading standard for an information security management system (ISMS). It describes a risk-based, process-oriented framework to systematically plan, implement, review and improve information security. Read in glossary: Control A.8.8, management of technical vulnerabilities: assess relevance to your systems, plan remediation and keep evidence.

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'.

Source: CISA KEV Catalog, cvelistv5, NVD (NIST)

Affected products

The following versions are affected. Older releases of the same product line are also vulnerable unless stated otherwise.

Affected products
		Affected versions	Fixed in
Microsoft	Microsoft SQL Server	`2014 Service Pack 2 for 32-bit Systems (CU)` `2014 Service Pack 2 for x64-based Systems (CU)` `2017 for x64-based Systems (CU)` `2016 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2 (CU)` `2016 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 (CU)`	— — — — —
microsoft	sql_server	`2014`	—
microsoft	sql_server_2016	`13.0.5149.0 – < 13.0.5366.0` `13.0.4411.0 – < 13.0.4604.0` `13.0.5026.0 – < 13.0.5101.9` `13.0.4001.0 – < 13.0.4259.0`	`13.0.5366.0` `13.0.4604.0` `13.0.5101.9` `13.0.4259.0`
microsoft	sql_server_2017	`14.0.3006.16 – < 14.0.3192.2` `14.0.1000.169 – < 14.0.2027.2`	`14.0.3192.2` `14.0.2027.2`

Vendors and products

Weakness classes (CWE)

CWE-20Improper Input Validation
Class
The product receives input or data, but it does not validate or incorrectly validates that the input has the properties that are required to process the data safely and correctly.
Entry at MITRE CWE-20

Public exploit references

Publicly reported proof-of-concepts, exploit modules and detection templates for this vulnerability. NEOSEC links to the original sources only and does not provide any exploit code.

Public exploit references

CISA KEV Catalog	CISA Known Exploited Vulnerability (opens in a new tab)cisa.gov	actively exploited	26.08.2026

References & sources

portal.msrc.microsoft.comen-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2019-1068x_refsource_MISC
cisa.govknown-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2019-1068government-resource

Changes to this CVE

Who changed this CVE and when: NVD (analysis, affected products, CVSS), the CVE publisher (CNA) and additional providers such as CISA (ADP).

26.08.2026NVD analysis modifiedNVD

Product mapping changed:

Microsoft SQL Server (2014-sp2, 2014-sp3)
Microsoft SQL Server 2016 (13.0.4001.0 – before 13.0.4259.0; 13.0.4411.0 – before 13.0.4604.0; 13.0.5026.0 – before 13.0.5101.9; 13.0.5149.0 – before 13.0.5366.0)
Microsoft SQL Server 2017 (14.0.1000.169 – before 14.0.2027.2; 14.0.3006.16 – before 14.0.3192.2)

CVSS V3.1: AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS V3: before AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H, after —

New references:

https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2019-1068

Show 4 original changes

Individual changes of this event as published by NVD
Type	Action	Before	After
CVSS	added	—	AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CVSS	removed	AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H	—
Product configuration	changed	OR cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:sql_server:2014:sp2::::::* cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:sql_server:2014:sp3::::::* cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:sql_server:2016:sp1:::::x64: cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:sql_server:2016:sp2:::::x64: cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:sql_server:2017::::::x64:*	OR cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:sql_server:2014:sp2::::::* cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:sql_server:2014:sp3::::::* cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:sql_server_2016::::::::* versions from (including) 13.0.4001.0 up to (excluding) 13.0.4259.0 cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:sql_server_2016::::::::* versions from (including) 13.0.4411.0 up to (excluding) 13.0.4604.0 cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:sql_server_2016::::::::* versions from (including) 13.0.5026.0 up to (excluding) 13.0.5101.9 cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:sql_server_2016::::::::* versions from (including) 13.0.5149.0 up to (excluding) 13.0.5366.0 cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:sql_server_2017::::::::* versions from (including) 14.0.1000.169 up to (excluding) 14.0.2027.2 cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:sql_server_2017::::::::* versions from (including) 14.0.3006.16 up to (excluding) 14.0.3192.2
Reference type	added	—	CISA-ADP: https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2019-1068 Types: US Government Resource

Source identifier: nvd@nist.gov

26.08.2026CISA KEV entry updated9119a7d8…
4 individual changes: Date Added, Due Date, Required Action, Vulnerability Name
Show 4 original changes
Individual changes of this event as published by NVD
Type Action Before After
Date Added added
—
2026-08-26
Due Date added
—
2026-08-26
Required Action added
—
2026-08-26
Vulnerability Name added
—
2026-08-26
Source identifier: 9119a7d8-5eab-497f-8521-727c672e3725

Individual changes of this event as published by NVD
Type	Action	Before	After
Date Added	added	—	2026-08-26
Due Date	added	—	2026-08-26
Required Action	added	—	2026-08-26
Vulnerability Name	added	—	2026-08-26

26.08.2026Record modifiedCISA ADP

CISA assessment (SSVC): exploitation: active, automatable: no

New references:

https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2019-1068

Show 2 original changes

Individual changes of this event as published by NVD
Type	Action	Before	After
Reference	added	—	https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2019-1068
SSVC assessment	changed	{"id":"CVE-2019-1068","role":"CISA Coordinator","options":[{"exploitation":"none"},{"automatable":"no"},{"technicalImpact":"total"}],"version":"2.0.3","timestamp":"2026-08-26T15:06:09.622305Z"}	{"id":"CVE-2019-1068","role":"CISA Coordinator","options":[{"exploitation":"active"},{"automatable":"no"},{"technicalImpact":"total"}],"version":"2.0.3","timestamp":"2026-08-26T17:44:35.078686Z"}

Source identifier: 134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0

26.08.2026Record modifiedMicrosoft

New references:

https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2019-1068

Show 3 original changes

Individual changes of this event as published by NVD
Type	Action	Before	After
Reference	added	—	https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2019-1068
Reference	removed	https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2019-1068	—
Reference type	removed	https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2019-1068 Types: Patch, Vendor Advisory	—

Source identifier: secure@microsoft.com

26.08.2026Record modifiedCISA ADP

CVSS V3.1: AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CISA assessment (SSVC): exploitation: none known, automatable: no

Weakness type: CWE-20

Show 3 original changes

Individual changes of this event as published by NVD
Type	Action	Before	After
CVSS	added	—	AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Weakness type (CWE)	added	—	CWE-20
SSVC assessment	added	—	{"id":"CVE-2019-1068","role":"CISA Coordinator","options":[{"exploitation":"none"},{"automatable":"no"},{"technicalImpact":"total"}],"version":"2.0.3","timestamp":"2026-08-26T15:06:09.622305Z"}

Source identifier: 134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0

Show one older change

26.08.2026Record modifiedCVE Program

New references:

https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2019-1068

Show 3 original changes

Individual changes of this event as published by NVD
Type	Action	Before	After
Reference	added	—	https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2019-1068
Reference	removed	https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2019-1068	—
Reference type	removed	https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2019-1068 Types: Patch, Vendor Advisory	—

Source identifier: af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108

Linked advisories

CISA Adds 10 CVEs to Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog, Five with Three-day Mitigation DeadlinesSANS NewsBites28.08.2026
CISA Adds Six Exploited Flaws to KEV, Including NetScaler, Linux, and SQL Server BugsThe Hacker News27.08.2026

Embed badge

Show the severity and KEV status of this vulnerability on your site – with a link back here. The image is updated hourly.

<a href="https://intel.neosec.eu/en/cve/CVE-2019-1068"><img src="https://intel.neosec.eu/badge/cve/CVE-2019-1068.svg?lang=en" alt="CVE-2019-1068 – NEOSEC Intel" height="20"></a>

What is affected, what to do

Metrics

Response and mitigation

Prioritisation rationale

Immediate response (0-24 h)

Mitigation layers

Detection rules

Detection rules

Classification under NIS2 and CRA

Description

Affected products

Vendors and products

Weakness classes (CWE)

Public exploit references

References & sources

Changes to this CVE

Linked advisories