CVE-2026-43895: jq Input Validation Flaw

Description

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.

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CVSS v3.1 Score

4.4

MEDIUM

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N

EPSS — Exploit Prediction

0.0002

Probability of exploitation

0.06%

Percentile rank

EPSS estimates the probability that this vulnerability will be exploited in the wild within the next 30 days. A higher score means more likely to be exploited.

Weakness Type (CWE)

CWE-20 Improper Input Validation

CWE-158 CWE-158

Affected Products

Vendor	Product	Versions
jqlang	jq	< 1.8.1

References

Advisories & Patches

https://github.com/jqlang/jq/security/advisories/GHSA-7q7g-mrq3-phxr https://github.com/jqlang/jq/security/advisories/GHSA-7q7g-mrq3-phxr

Exploits

https://github.com/jqlang/jq/security/advisories/GHSA-7q7g-mrq3-phxr https://github.com/jqlang/jq/security/advisories/GHSA-7q7g-mrq3-phxr

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2026-43895? +

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. It has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 4.4 (MEDIUM).

How severe is CVE-2026-43895? +

CVE-2026-43895 has a CVSS v3.1 score of 4.4 out of 10, rated MEDIUM. This is a medium-severity vulnerability that should be remediated as part of regular maintenance. The EPSS score is 0.0002, placing it in the 0th percentile for exploitation probability.

What products are affected by CVE-2026-43895? +

CVE-2026-43895 affects products from jqlang, specifically: jq. Check the affected products table above for specific version ranges.

How do I check if I'm vulnerable to CVE-2026-43895? +

You can use Secably's free Website Scanner to check your website for known vulnerabilities. For infrastructure scanning, use the Port Scanner to identify exposed services that may be affected. Check the vendor advisories linked above for specific patch and version information.

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