Microsoft Patch Tuesday: Defending Against the SQL & .NET Zero-Days
Microsoft releases critical updates for 84 vulnerabilities, including active zero-day exploits in SQL Server and the .NET framework.
Microsoft's March 2026 Patch Tuesday has addressed 84 vulnerabilities, with 12 rated as Critical. The most urgent fixes target two zero-day exploits that were disclosed prior to the patch release: CVE-2026-21262 (SQL Server Elevation of Privilege) and CVE-2026-26127 (.NET Framework Denial of Service).
The Return of PrintNightmare?
Security researchers are also sounding the alarm on CVE-2026-23669, a Remote Code Execution (RCE) flaw in the Windows Print Spooler. While not yet exploited in the wild, the vulnerability shares structural similarities with the 2021 "PrintNightmare" crisis, potentially allowing unauthenticated attackers to gain system-level access across entire enterprise domains.
Administrators are advised to prioritize the patching of internet-facing SQL instances and consider disabling the Print Spooler service on critical servers until remediation is complete.
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