Microsoft Fixes 77 Vulnerabilities in March 2026 Patch Tuesday
Basically, Microsoft released updates to fix security problems in their software this month.
Microsoft has released 77 patches this month, addressing critical vulnerabilities in SQL Server and other software. Users of SQL Server and Microsoft Authenticator should update immediately to avoid potential exploitation. Ignoring these updates could lead to serious security risks.
What Happened
This March, Microsoft has rolled out a significant update, addressing 77 vulnerabilities in its software. Among these, two vulnerabilities have been publicly disclosed, but Microsoft has found no evidence of them being exploited in the wild yet. This means that while they are serious, users can breathe a bit easier knowing there are currently no active attacks. Notably, earlier in the month, Microsoft also patched nine browser vulnerabilities, but those are not included in this Patch Tuesday count.
One of the most critical vulnerabilities is a zero-day? remote elevation of privilege (EoP) issue affecting SQL Server?. This vulnerability, identified as CVE-2026-21262, allows an authorized attacker to gain sysadmin privileges over a network. With a CVSS v3? base score of 8.8, it’s just shy of being classified as critical. SQL Server? typically goes months without attention during Patch Tuesday, making this patch particularly noteworthy.
Why Should You Care
If you use SQL Server? in your organization, this vulnerability is a potential gateway for attackers. Imagine someone sneaking into your house and gaining access to all your valuables — that’s what this vulnerability could allow. An attacker with sysadmin privileges could not only access sensitive data but also manipulate the database or even execute commands on the underlying operating system.
Moreover, many SQL Server? instances are still exposed to the internet, despite years of advice against it. Ignoring this patch could leave your organization vulnerable to serious attacks. Even if you think your system is secure, the reality is that many SQL Server?s are still publicly accessible, making them easy targets for attackers.
What's Being Done
Microsoft is actively addressing these vulnerabilities, and they recommend that all users apply the patches immediately. Here are some steps you should take:
- Update SQL Server? to patch CVE-2026-21262 and other vulnerabilities.
- Ensure that your SQL Server? instances are not exposed to the internet unless absolutely necessary.
- Regularly review your security protocols and consider disabling features like xp_cmdshell? unless required.
Experts are closely monitoring the situation to see if any exploitation attempts arise now that these vulnerabilities are public. It’s always better to be safe than sorry, so don’t delay in applying these critical updates.
Rapid7 Blog