Server blocked access to XP_CMDSHELL

Server blocked access to XP_CMDSHELL
Download PDF

XP_CMDSHELL is one of those features that is turned off by default on SQL Server and needs to be turned on to function.

If xp_cmdshell has not been turned on you will get this error when you try to use it.

Msg 15281, Level 16, State 1, Procedure xp_cmdshell, Line 1 [Batch Start Line 17]
SQL Server blocked access to procedure ‘sys.xp_cmdshell’ of component ‘xp_cmdshell’ because this component is turned off as part of the security configuration for this server. A system administrator can enable the use of ‘xp_cmdshell’ by using sp_configure. For more information about enabling ‘xp_cmdshell’, see “Surface Area Configuration” in SQL Server Books Online.

To fix this you need to turn on xp_cmdshell, which can be done with the following sql script.

EXEC sp_configure 'show advanced options', 1;
GO
RECONFIGURE WITH OVERRIDE;
GO
EXEC sp_configure 'xp_cmdshell', 1;
GO
RECONFIGURE WITH OVERRIDE;
GO

If you are interested in the security implications, take a look at this earlier blog post with details. Is enabling xp_cmdshell a security risk?

 

More from Stedman Solutions:

SteveStedman5
Steve and the team at Stedman Solutions are here for all your SQL Server needs.
Contact us today for your free 30 minute consultation..
We are ready to help!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*