CVE-2024-37965 Overview
CVE-2024-37965 is an elevation of privilege vulnerability in Microsoft SQL Server disclosed by Microsoft in September 2024. The flaw affects SQL Server 2016, 2017, 2019, and 2022 across x64 platforms. An authenticated attacker with low privileges on the network can exploit the flaw to gain elevated permissions on the database engine. The vulnerability is tracked under CWE-20 (Improper Input Validation) and is exposed through the SQL Server network attack surface.
Critical Impact
A network-adjacent attacker with valid low-privilege credentials can escalate to higher database privileges, compromising confidentiality, integrity, and availability of hosted data.
Affected Products
- Microsoft SQL Server 2016 (x64)
- Microsoft SQL Server 2017 (x64)
- Microsoft SQL Server 2019 (x64)
- Microsoft SQL Server 2022 (x64)
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-09-10 - CVE-2024-37965 published to NVD
- 2024-09-10 - Microsoft releases security update via Microsoft CVE-2024-37965 Update
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-37965
Vulnerability Analysis
CVE-2024-37965 is an elevation of privilege issue in the Microsoft SQL Server database engine. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation ([CWE-20]) inside the SQL Server process. An attacker authenticated to the SQL Server instance can send crafted requests that manipulate server-side logic and execute operations with elevated privileges. Because the vulnerability executes within the SQL Server security context, a successful attack yields access to databases, stored procedures, and server-level objects that the attacker was not authorized to touch.
Microsoft classifies the impact across confidentiality, integrity, and availability as high. Any user account with the ability to log in to the database engine and issue queries is within scope, including application service accounts and low-privilege reporting users. The EPSS score for this CVE indicates a comparatively higher likelihood of exploitation attempts than the average Microsoft advisory.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper input validation in a SQL Server component that trusts attacker-supplied data during query or command processing. Microsoft has not released component-level detail, but the CWE-20 classification and the network attack vector indicate that malformed inputs reach a code path that runs with higher privileges than the calling session should possess.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires network access to the SQL Server TCP endpoint (typically port 1433) and valid credentials on the target instance. No user interaction is required. An attacker with a low-privilege login sends specially crafted T-SQL or protocol data to trigger the flaw and obtain elevated permissions on the database engine. The vulnerability is not currently listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, and no public proof-of-concept has been released.
Refer to the Microsoft Security Response Center advisory for vendor guidance and affected build numbers.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-37965
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected changes to server roles, database roles, or login mappings in sys.server_principals and sys.database_principals.
- New or modified stored procedures, jobs, or linked servers created by low-privilege accounts.
- SQL Server error log entries showing malformed protocol traffic or unexpected privilege changes.
- Outbound network activity from sqlservr.exe to unfamiliar hosts following privileged operations.
Detection Strategies
- Enable SQL Server Audit for SERVER_ROLE_MEMBER_CHANGE_GROUP, DATABASE_ROLE_MEMBER_CHANGE_GROUP, and SERVER_PERMISSION_CHANGE_GROUP to capture privilege escalations.
- Baseline privileged actions per service account and alert on deviations, especially sysadmin role membership additions.
- Correlate SQL authentication events with EDR telemetry on the database host to identify anomalous child processes spawned by sqlservr.exe.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Forward SQL Server audit logs and Windows Security events to a centralized SIEM for cross-source correlation.
- Monitor query patterns from application accounts for unexpected DDL statements or use of EXECUTE AS.
- Track SQL Server patch levels across the estate and alert when instances drift below the September 2024 cumulative update baseline.
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-37965
Immediate Actions Required
- Apply the Microsoft cumulative update or GDR for SQL Server 2016, 2017, 2019, and 2022 as documented in the MSRC advisory.
- Inventory all SQL Server instances, including embedded and containerized deployments, and prioritize internet-adjacent hosts.
- Rotate service account credentials for any SQL Server logins that could have been abused prior to patching.
- Restrict network access to TCP port 1433 and configured named-instance ports using host firewalls and network segmentation.
Patch Information
Microsoft addressed CVE-2024-37965 in the September 10, 2024 security updates for SQL Server 2016 SP3, SQL Server 2017, SQL Server 2019, and SQL Server 2022. Affected build numbers and download links are enumerated in the Microsoft CVE-2024-37965 Update guidance. Apply the update to both the primary and any secondary replicas in Always On availability groups.
Workarounds
- Enforce least privilege on all SQL logins and remove unused accounts to reduce the pool of usable authenticators.
- Require Windows Authentication over SQL Authentication where feasible and enable connection encryption.
- Restrict SQL Server network exposure to trusted management subnets until patching is complete.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
