Microsoft Security Breach Incident Score: Analysis & Impact (MIC1768537039)

In this Rankiteo incident briefing, we review the Microsoft Security breach identified under incident ID MIC1768537039.

The analysis begins with a detailed overview of Microsoft Security's information like the linkedin page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/microsoft-security, the number of followers: 515370, the industry type: IT Services and IT Consulting and the number of employees: None employees

After the initial compromise, the video explains how Rankiteo's incident engine converts technical details into a normalized incident score. The incident score before the incident was 774 and after the incident was 770 with a difference of -4 which is could be a good indicator of the severity and impact of the incident.

In the next step of the video, we will analyze in more details the incident and the impact it had on Microsoft Security and their customers.

On 13 January 2026, Microsoft disclosed Elevation of Privilege issues under the banner "Microsoft SQL Server Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability (CVE-2026-20803)".

Microsoft released security updates addressing a critical elevation of privilege vulnerability in SQL Server that enables authorized attackers to bypass authentication controls and gain elevated system privileges remotely.

The disruption is felt across the environment, affecting SQL Server 2022, SQL Server 2025, and end-of-life SQL Server versions.

In response, moved swiftly to contain the threat with measures like Isolate end-of-life SQL servers, limit access, and monitor activity closely, and began remediation that includes Apply security updates released on January 13, 2026.

The case underscores how teams are taking away lessons such as End-of-life SQL servers increase risk due to lack of security updates. Attackers actively target these systems. Patch management and system isolation are critical, and recommending next steps like Apply security updates immediately for SQL Server 2022 and 2025, Isolate end-of-life SQL servers if they cannot be upgraded and Limit access to vulnerable systems.

Finally, we try to match the incident with the MITRE ATT&CK framework to see if there is any correlation between the incident and the MITRE ATT&CK framework.

The MITRE ATT&CK framework is a knowledge base of techniques and sub-techniques that are used to describe the tactics and procedures of cyber adversaries. It is a powerful tool for understanding the threat landscape and for developing effective defense strategies.

Rankiteo's analysis has identified several MITRE ATT&CK tactics and techniques associated with this incident, each with varying levels of confidence based on available evidence. Under the Privilege Escalation tactic, the analysis identified Exploitation for Privilege Escalation (T1068) with high confidence (90%), with evidence including critical elevation of privilege vulnerability in SQL Server (CVE-2026-20803), and missing authentication mechanisms for critical functions within the database engine. Under the Initial Access tactic, the analysis identified Exploit Public-Facing Application (T1190) with moderate to high confidence (70%), supported by evidence indicating flaw allows authenticated attackers to bypass authentication controls remotely. Under the Defense Evasion tactic, the analysis identified Use Alternate Authentication Material: Pass the Hash (T1550.002) with moderate confidence (60%), supported by evidence indicating bypass authentication controls and gain elevated system privileges. Under the Credential Access tactic, the analysis identified Exploitation for Credential Access (T1212) with moderate to high confidence (70%), supported by evidence indicating missing authentication mechanisms for critical functions within the database engine. Under the Lateral Movement tactic, the analysis identified Exploitation of Remote Services (T1210) with moderate confidence (60%), supported by evidence indicating impacts multiple SQL Server versions, including SQL Server 2022 and 2025. These correlations help security teams understand the attack chain and develop appropriate defensive measures based on the observed tactics and techniques.