Sql-server – Are there any outstanding critical security issues for Sql Server 2000

Securitysql-server-2000

Are there any outstanding (unpatched) security issues for Sql Server 2000?

This isn't really for me: I moved on from Sql Server 2000 long ago. However, when answering questions here and (more likely) on Stack Overflow, I'm in the habit of leaving a comment like the one at this question whenever coming across a Sql Server 2000 question. If you don't want to follow the link, it goes something like this:

Sql Server 2000 is end of life. It no longer gets any patches… not even critical security patches. It's irresponsible to continue using it. Convincing management to upgrade is job #1.

Aide from it being, well, Sql Server 2000, how much an issue is this really? In the year-plus since Sql Server 2000 went EOL, has anything big come up I could point to as a more concrete issue?

I'd look at official documentation, but as this is effectively abandonware I haven't found anything published directly by MS.

Best Answer

Are there any outstanding critical security issues for Sql Server 2000?

Yes, there are no patches available for newly discovered issues like meltdown/spectre

Microsoft only releases security patches for SQL versions that are still supported. Also notice that if you are running a supported SQL version with an unsupported service pack, you MUST upgrade to a supported service pack to have an available security patch.

  • 4057122 Description of the security update for SQL Server 2017 GDR: January 3, 2018
  • 4058562 Description of the security update for SQL Server 2017 RTM CU3: January 3, 2018
  • 4058561 Description of the security update for SQL Server 2016 SP1 CU7: January 3, 2018
  • 4057118 Description of the security update for SQL Server 2016 GDR SP1: January 3, 2018
  • 4058559 Description of the security update for SQL Server 2016 CU: January 6, 2018
  • 4058560 Description of the security update for SQL Server 2016 GDR: January 6, 2018
  • 4057117 Description of the security update for SQL Server 2014 SP2 CU10: January 16, 2018
  • 4057120 Description of the security update for SQL Server 2014 SP2 GDR: January 16, 2018
  • 4057116 Description of the security update for SQL Server 2012 SP4 GDR: January 12, 2018
  • 4057115 Description of the security update for SQL Server 2012 SP3 GDR: January, 2018
  • 4057121 Description of the security update for SQL Server 2012 SP3 CU: January, 2018
  • 4057114 Description of the security update for SQL Server 2008 SP4 GDR: January 6, 2018
  • 4057113 Description of the security update for SQL Server 2008 R2 SP3 GDR: January 6, 2018

Protect SQL Server from attacks on Spectre and Meltdown side-channel vulnerabilities