SQL Server 2022 Security Update Addresses Denial of Service Vulnerability

Microsoft has released the Security Update for SQL Server 2022 RTM GDR (General Distribution Release), available immediately through the Microsoft Download Center and Microsoft Update Catalog. This update represents a cumulative package that consolidates every security fix released for SQL Server 2022 RTM to date, while introducing new protections against a specific denial of service vulnerability.

What Changed: The GDR Cumulative Model

A GDR release serves a different purpose than regular cumulative updates. While standard CU packages include both security and functional fixes, GDR updates focus exclusively on security patches. This approach benefits organizations that prioritize stability and minimize change risk, particularly in production environments where functional changes could introduce unintended behavior.

The KB5073031 package ensures that any SQL Server 2022 RTM instance receives complete security coverage without the broader scope of a full CU. For administrators managing fleets of servers, this simplifies patch management: you can deploy a single package that guarantees comprehensive security coverage rather than tracking multiple individual patches.

The Vulnerability: CVE-2026-20803

The new security fix addresses CVE-2026-20803, a denial of service vulnerability in Microsoft SQL Server. While Microsoft's bulletin provides limited technical details about the specific attack vector—a standard practice to prevent exploitation before widespread patching—denial of service vulnerabilities in database systems typically involve resource exhaustion attacks.

Common patterns include:

• Memory exhaustion through crafted queries that allocate disproportionate memory
• CPU saturation via operations that trigger inefficient query plans
• Connection pool exhaustion from rapid connection attempts

These attacks don't compromise data integrity or confidentiality, but they can render database services unavailable, directly impacting business operations. For SQL Server environments exposed to untrusted networks or multi-tenant architectures, this patch should be prioritized.

Deployment Considerations

Download Sources

Microsoft Download Center: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=108527

Microsoft Update Catalog: https://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Search.aspx?q=5073031

The Update Catalog remains the preferred source for enterprise deployments, providing direct CAB files for offline installation and integration into Configuration Manager or WSUS workflows. The Download Center offers a more user-friendly interface for manual installation on individual servers.

Pre-Deployment Checklist

1. Test in non-production: While GDR updates are security-focused, always validate in a representative environment. Query performance characteristics should remain unchanged, but verify critical workloads.

2. Backup strategy: Execute full backups before patching. For Always On Availability Groups, plan for rolling upgrades to maintain availability.

3. Service restart: This update requires a SQL Server service restart. Schedule accordingly or leverage maintenance windows.

4. Version verification: After installation, confirm the updated build number. SQL Server 2022 RTM instances should reflect the GDR version in SELECT @@VERSION.

Integration with Update Management

For organizations using automated patch management:

• WSUS: Import the update into your WSUS server and approve for target groups
• Configuration Manager: Distribute the package to distribution points and create deployment tasks
• Azure Automation Update Management: Add the KB number to your update schedules
• Manual scripting: Use PowerShell with Get-WindowsUpdate or direct MSI execution for large-scale deployments

Broader Context: SQL Server 2022 Update Strategy

SQL Server 2022 follows Microsoft's established update cadence. The platform receives:

• Monthly security updates on Patch Tuesday
• Cumulative Updates approximately every 2-3 months with both security and functional fixes
• GDR releases when critical security issues warrant immediate, focused patching

This particular GDR arrives relatively early in the SQL Server 2022 lifecycle, which began with RTM in November 2022. Early GDR releases signal that Microsoft has identified security issues requiring immediate attention across the install base.

For organizations still running SQL Server 2022 RTM without subsequent CUs, this GDR provides the most efficient path to security compliance. However, consider that GDR updates don't include functional improvements or bug fixes from later CUs. If you're experiencing specific issues addressed in CU1 or CU2, you'll need to apply those updates separately or move to a newer cumulative build.

Migration Path Forward

The update landscape presents two strategic options:

Option 1: GDR-Only Path

• Apply KB5073031 for security compliance
• Maintain RTM baseline with minimal change
• Accept absence of functional improvements
• Suitable for stable environments with no outstanding issues

Option 2: Cumulative Update Path

• Apply the latest CU (currently CU2 or newer)
• Receive both security fixes and functional improvements
• Benefit from performance enhancements and bug fixes
• Recommended for environments seeking optimal performance

The decision depends on your organization's risk tolerance and change management philosophy. Conservative enterprises often prefer the GDR path for immediate security needs, then evaluate CUs during planned upgrade cycles.

Verification and Monitoring

Post-deployment, monitor for:

• Unexpected query plan changes
• Memory or CPU usage patterns
• Application error logs for database connectivity issues
• Performance counters related to buffer cache, page life expectancy, and batch requests

Most security updates show no performance impact, but vigilance remains essential in production environments.

Additional Resources

For ongoing update management, Microsoft maintains a centralized resource: Latest Updates for Microsoft SQL Server. This page provides the authoritative source for all SQL Server update information, including download links, release notes, and known issues.

The SQL Server team also publishes detailed release information through their official blog, which provides advance notice of upcoming updates and deeper technical context for security patches.

Summary

The SQL Server 2022 RTM GDR update (KB5073031) delivers complete security coverage for the platform while addressing CVE-2026-20803. Organizations should evaluate their current patch level and deployment strategy, choosing between GDR for minimal change or cumulative updates for comprehensive improvements. As always, security patches affecting database infrastructure warrant prompt attention, particularly those addressing denial of service vulnerabilities that could impact service availability.