VDB-362699 · CVE-2026-43896 · GHSA-mg96-6h3q-g846

jqlang jq up to 1.8.1 jv_object_merge_recursive recursion

CVSS Meta Temp Score CVSS is a standardized scoring system to determine possibilities of attacks. The Temp Score considers temporal factors like disclosure, exploit and countermeasures. The unique Meta Score calculates the average score of different sources to provide a normalized scoring system.	Current Exploit Price (≈) Our analysts are monitoring exploit markets and are in contact with vulnerability brokers. The range indicates the observed or calculated exploit price to be seen on exploit markets. A good indicator to understand the monetary effort required for and the popularity of an attack.	CTI Interest Score Our Cyber Threat Intelligence team is monitoring different web sites, mailing lists, exploit markets and social media networks. The CTI Interest Score identifies the interest of attackers and the security community for this specific vulnerability in real-time. A high score indicates an elevated risk to be targeted for this vulnerability.
4.7	$0-$5k	0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, has been found in jqlang jq up to 1.8.1. The impacted element is the function jv_object_merge_recursive. The manipulation leads to recursion. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2026-43896. An attack has to be approached locally. There is no exploit available.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in jqlang jq up to 1.8.1. It has been rated as problematic. This issue affects the function jv_object_merge_recursive. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a recursion vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-674. The product does not properly control the amount of recursion that takes place, consuming excessive resources, such as allocated memory or the program stack. Impacted is availability. The summary by CVE is:

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

It is possible to read the advisory at github.com. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2026-43896 since 05/04/2026. The exploitation is known to be easy. Attacking locally is a requirement. Technical details of the vulnerability are known, but there is no available exploit.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 316545 (Debian dla-4599 : jq - security update), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

There is no information about possible countermeasures known. It may be suggested to replace the affected object with an alternative product.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at Tenable (316545). Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

Vendor

jqlang

Name

Version

Website

Product: https://github.com/jqlang/jq/

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 4.7
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 4.7

VulDB Base Score: 3.3
VulDB Temp Score: 3.3
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CNA Base Score: 6.2
CNA Vector (GitHub_M): 🔒

CVSSv2info

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💳	💳	💳	💳	💳	💳
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Vector	Complexity	Authentication	Confidentiality	Integrity	Availability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔒
VulDB Temp Score: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Recursion
CWE: CWE-674 / CWE-404
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: No

Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔒
EPSS Percentile: 🔒

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒

0-Day	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock
Today	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock

Nessus ID: 316545
Nessus Name: Debian dla-4599 : jq - security update

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: no mitigation known
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Timelineinfo

05/04/2026 CVE reserved
05/11/2026 +7 days Advisory disclosed
05/11/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
05/25/2026 +14 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Product: github.com

Advisory: GHSA-mg96-6h3q-g846
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2026-43896 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-43896
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-362699

Entryinfo

Created: 05/11/2026 20:27
Updated: 05/25/2026 20:22
Changes: 05/11/2026 20:27 (62), 05/25/2026 20:22 (2)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.