CVE-2026-43895

What it is

jq is a command-line JSON processor. In 1.8.1 and earlier, jq accepts embedded NUL bytes in import paths at the jq-language level, but later resolves those paths through C string operations during module and data-file lookup. This creates a mismatch between the logical import string that policy or audit code may validate and the on-disk path that jq actually opens.

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited locally on the machine with a low-privilege account. Limited direct impact.

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

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-20 · Improper input validation

Record status

Analyzed

Affected

• Jqlang Jq ≤ 1.8.1

Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 4.4

Attack vector

Local

Complexity

Low

Privileges needed

Low

User interaction

None

Scope

Unchanged

Confidentiality

Low

Integrity

Low

Availability

None