CVE-2023-21705Network attack vector

Authenticated code execution via crafted statistics statement

Published Feb 14, 2023 · Updated Aug 19, 2026

Remote code execution in Microsoft SQL Server 2012 through 2022 allows remote authenticated users to execute code via crafted SQL statements. The Query Optimizer mishandles a specially crafted CREATE or UPDATE STATISTICS statement and corrupts SQL Server memory; Microsoft has not disclosed the exact memory operation. Low-privileged database access is required, and no user interaction is needed.

CVSS severity8.8
High
EPSS probability1.11%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Remote code execution in Microsoft SQL Server 2012 through 2022 allows remote authenticated users to execute code via crafted SQL statements. The Query Optimizer mishandles a specially crafted CREATE or UPDATE STATISTICS statement and corrupts SQL Server memory; Microsoft has not disclosed the exact memory operation. Low-privileged database access is required, and no user interaction is needed.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-21705
Published
Feb 14, 2023
Updated
Aug 19, 2026
Vendor
Microsoft
Product
Microsoft SQL Server 2016 Service Pack 3 Azure Connect Feature Pack
Classifications
CWE-321, T1210
Attack vector
network
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Feb 14, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 19, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=13.0.0 <13.0.7024.30

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Microsoft · Microsoft SQL Server 2016 Service Pack 3 Azure Connect Feature Packversion=13.0.0 <13.0.7024.30
Microsoft · Microsoft SQL Server 2016version=13.0.0 <13.0.6430.49
Microsoft · Microsoft SQL Server 2012version=11.0.0 <11.0.7512.11
Microsoft · Microsoft SQL Server 2022version=16.0.0 <16.0.1050.5
Microsoft · Microsoft SQL Server 2019version=15.0.0 <15.0.2101.7; version=15.0.0 <15.0.4280.7
Microsoft · Microsoft SQL Server 2017version=14.0.0 <14.0.2047.8; version=14.0.0 <14.0.3460.9
Microsoft · Microsoft SQL Server 2014version=12.0.0 <12.0.6174.8; version=12.0.0 <12.0.6444.4

Published CVSS scores

8.8MicrosoftCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-321Use of Hard-coded Cryptographic Key
T1210Exploitation of Remote Services

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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