CVE-2026-33947: jq: Unbounded Recursion in jv_setpath(), jv_getpath() and delpaths_sorted()
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.
Affected Software
Remediation
Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the severity of CVE-2026-33947?
CVE-2026-33947 is classified as a high severity vulnerability due to the potential for unbounded recursion leading to application crashes.
How do I fix CVE-2026-33947?
To mitigate CVE-2026-33947, upgrade jq to version 1.8.2 or later, which addresses the unbounded recursion issue.
Which versions of jq are affected by CVE-2026-33947?
CVE-2026-33947 affects jq versions up to and including 1.8.1.
What functions are involved in CVE-2026-33947?
The vulnerability in CVE-2026-33947 arises from functions jv_setpath(), jv_getpath(), and delpaths_sorted() in jq.
What are the potential consequences of CVE-2026-33947?
The main consequence of CVE-2026-33947 is the risk of application crashes due to excessive recursion, leading to denial of service.