CVE-2020-0618
CVE-2020-0618 is a security flaw in Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft’s database server. Someone who already has a way in can use Microsoft SQL Server to run their own code. The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) added it to its catalog of flaws known to be used in attacks on 18 Sep 2024, and says ransomware gangs have used it.[1]
Microsoft SQL Server is business software or equipment. Most families won’t have it, but attackers break into it to get inside companies, and from there to what those companies hold about their customers, patients and staff. Microsoft has published a fix or advice.
Description
CISA calls it a reporting services remote code execution in Microsoft SQL Server. In its words: “Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services contains a deserialization vulnerability when handling page requests incorrectly. An authenticated attacker can exploit this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the Report Server service account.”[1]
The underlying weakness is deserialization of untrusted data (CWE-502), in MITRE’s list of common software weaknesses.[2]
It scores 8.8 out of 10 on the Common Vulnerability Scoring System, which rates it high, scored by NVD using CVSS 3.1.[2]
Affected versions
NVD’s record doesn’t list version ranges for it; Microsoft’s advisory has them[3]. CISA names the product as Microsoft SQL Server.
Most families won’t have Microsoft SQL Server; it’s for whoever looks after IT at work.
Exploitation
CISA added it to its catalog of known exploited vulnerabilities on 18 Sep 2024, 1,681 days after it was made public. CISA lists a flaw only when it has reliable evidence of it being exploited, and gave US federal agencies until 9 Oct 2024 to fix it.[1] CISA says ransomware gangs have used it.
FIRST’s Exploit Prediction Scoring System, which estimates how likely a flaw is to be used in attacks in the next 30 days from what it sees across the internet, puts it at 99%. That’s in the top 1% of the flaws it scores.[4]
CISA assesses it as not automatable: each attack takes some work.
CISA doesn’t say who was attacked, or how.
Fix
Microsoft has published a fix or advice.[3] CISA’s required action: “Apply mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.”[1]
- Check whether you use it.Microsoft SQL Server is business software or equipment, so most families won’t have it. If you run a business, or work from home on company equipment, ask whoever looks after your IT.
- Send this page to your IT person.Ask them to confirm it’s fixed, or not in use. CISA gave US government agencies until 9 Oct 2024 to fix it.
- If it can’t be fixed, take it offline.CISA’s advice when there’s no fix is to stop using the product, or take it off the internet, until there is one.
You can’t fix someone else’s server, but you can watch for what follows a break-in like this: a breach notice, a password reset you didn’t ask for, or a scam message that knows things it shouldn’t. HARD watches for those for you and your family.
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| The flaw is made public in the National Vulnerability Database, with a severity score of 8.8.[2] | |
| CISA adds it to its catalog of flaws known to be used in attacks, noting that ransomware gangs have used it.[1] | |
| CISA’s deadline for US government agencies to fix it.[1] | |
| FIRST puts the odds of it being used in attacks in the next 30 days at 99%.[4] |
See also
Other Microsoft SQL Server flaws
- CVE-2019-1068: remote code execution ·
Other Microsoft flaws
- CVE-2026-96951, Microsoft Windows: command injection ·
- CVE-2026-65660, Microsoft SharePoint: code injection ·
- CVE-2026-85880, Microsoft Windows: heap-based buffer overflow ·
- CVE-2026-81963, Microsoft Windows: link following ·
- CVE-2026-55040, Microsoft SharePoint: weak authentication ·
Other deserialization of untrusted data flaws
- CVE-2021-23758, Ajax.NET Professional: deserialization of untrusted data ·
- CVE-2026-63077, JetBrains TeamCity: deserialization of untrusted data ·
- CVE-2026-45247, Mirasvit Full Page Cache Warmer: full page cache warmer deserialization of untrusted data ·
- CVE-2026-20131, Cisco Secure Firewall Management Center (FMC): software and cisco security cloud control (SCC) firewall management deserialization of untrusted data ·
- CVE-2025-26399, SolarWinds Web Help Desk: deserialization of untrusted data ·
Added the same day
- CVE-2024-27348, Apache HugeGraph-Server: improper access control ·
- CVE-2022-21445, Oracle ADF Faces: deserialization of untrusted data ·
- CVE-2020-14644, Oracle WebLogic Server: remote code execution ·
Every Microsoft flaw on CISA’s list · Everything added in September 2024
References
- ^ Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. “Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services Remote Code Execution Vulnerability”. Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog, added 18 Sep 2024.
- ^ National Institute of Standards and Technology. “CVE-2020-0618 Detail”. National Vulnerability Database, published 11 Feb 2020.
- ^ Microsoft. Advisories and fixes: msrc.microsoft.com, portal.msrc.microsoft.com.
- ^ FIRST. “Exploit Prediction Scoring System”. EPSS 0.990, percentile 99.9, 31 Oct 2026.
- CVE Program. “CVE-2020-0618”. The official CVE record.
This article is built from CISA’s catalog (version 2026.10.30), NVD’s record and FIRST’s scores, kept in HARD’s database and checked every morning. The plain English is HARD’s.