CVE-2026-33947

What it is

jq is a command-line JSON processor. In versions 1.8.1 and below, functions jv_setpath(), jv_getpath(), and delpaths_sorted() in jq's src/jv_aux.c use unbounded recursion whose depth is controlled by the length of a caller-supplied path array, with no depth limit enforced. An attacker can supply a JSON document containing a flat array of ~65,000 integers (~200 KB) that, when used as a path argument by a trusted jq filter, exhausts the C call stack and crashes the process with a segmentation fault (SIGSEGV). This bypass works because the existing MAX_PARSING_DEPTH (10,000) limit only protects the JSON parser, not runtime path operations where arrays can be programmatically constructed to arbitrary lengths. The impact is denial of service (unrecoverable crash) affecting any application or service that processes untrusted JSON input through jq's setpath, getpath, or delpaths builtins. This issue has been addressed in commit fb59f1491058d58bdc3e8dd28f1773d1ac690a1f.

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited locally on the machine without logging in. High risk of service disruption.

Exploit odds

0.2% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).

Fix

A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.

Timeline

1. 2026-04-13 22:16 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-10-26 21:10 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

• Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
• Exploit odds: 0.2% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
• Severity: 6.2 MEDIUM (CVSS).
• Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.

Details

Published

2026-04-13 22:16 UTC

Last modified

2026-10-26 21:10 UTC

Exploit probability

0.2% · EPSS, next 30 days

Weakness

CWE-674

Record status

Analyzed

Affected

• Jqlang Jq ≤ 1.8.1

Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 6.2

Attack vector

Local

Complexity

Low

Privileges needed

None

User interaction

None

Scope

Unchanged

Confidentiality

None

Integrity

None

Availability

High

Is it in your code?

Hand this to your coding agent. It searches your project for the affected products and checks versions. Nothing leaves your machine.

Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2026-33947.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2026-33947. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.

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