CVE-2026-43894

What it is

jq is a command-line JSON processor. In 1.8.1 and earlier, when decNumberFromString is given a number literal of INT_MAX-1 (2147483646) digits, the D2U() macro overflows during signed-int arithmetic. The wrapped negative value bypasses the heap-allocation size check, causes the function to use a 30-byte stack buffer, and then writes ≈715 million 16-bit units (≈1.4 GiB) at an offset 1.43 GiB below the stack frame. The written content is fully attacker-controlled (the parsed decimal digits, packed 3-per-unit).

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. 2026-05-11 18:16 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-10-26 18:10 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

2026-05-11 18:16 UTC

Last modified

2026-10-26 18:10 UTC

Exploit probability

0.2% · EPSS, next 30 days

Weakness

CWE-190 · Integer overflow

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-2026-43894.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2026-43894. 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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