CVE-2026-43896: jq: Stack Overflow in Recursive Object Merge

Published May 11, 2026
·
Updated

jq is a command-line JSON processor. In 1.8.1 and earlier, unbounded recursion in jvobjectmergerecursive() allows a crafted jq program to crash the process with a segfault. The function is reachable through the operator when both operands are objects.

Other sources

jq: Stack Overflow in Recursive Object Merge

— Microsoft

Affected Software

5 affected componentsFixes available
Stedolan jq<=1.8.1
jqlang jq<=1.8.1
Microsoft azl3 jq 1.7.1-5
Microsoft azl3 jq 1.7.1-6
debian/jq
1.6-2.1+deb12u21.6-2.1+deb12u31.7.1-6+deb13u31.7.1-6+deb13u41.8.2-1

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

  1. Upgrade

    Upgrade debian/jq to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 1.6-2.1+deb12u2Fixed in 1.6-2.1+deb12u3Fixed in 1.7.1-6+deb13u3Fixed in 1.7.1-6+deb13u4Fixed in 1.8.2-1

Event History

May 11, 2026
CVE Published
via MITRE·05:24 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·05:24 PM
DescriptionSeverityWeakness
Data Sourced
via NVD·06:16 PM
DescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software
May 13, 2026
Data Sourced
via Microsoft·08:01 AM
DescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software

Parent advisories

This vulnerability appears in the following advisories.

Peer vulnerabilities

Found alongside the following vulnerabilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2026-43896?

CVE-2026-43896 is classified as a critical vulnerability due to the potential for unbounded recursion leading to a stack overflow.

2

How do I fix CVE-2026-43896?

To fix CVE-2026-43896, upgrade jq to version 1.8.2 or later, which addresses the unbounded recursion issue.

3

What versions of jq are affected by CVE-2026-43896?

CVE-2026-43896 affects jq versions 1.8.1 and earlier.

4

What kind of vulnerability is CVE-2026-43896?

CVE-2026-43896 is a stack overflow vulnerability that occurs in the recursive object merge function of jq.

5

How can CVE-2026-43896 be exploited?

CVE-2026-43896 can be exploited by executing a crafted jq program that triggers unbounded recursion, causing a segmentation fault.

Contact

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