Heap out-of-bounds write via oversized raw file processing
Summary
jq is a command-line JSON processor. Prior to 1.8.2,` jq --rawfile` can turn a handled oversized-string error into invalid-state reuse and a real heap out-of-bounds write in assertion-disabled builds. When jv_load_file(raw=1) reads an attacker-controlled file, it repeatedly appends file chunks to the same jv string accumulator. Once jv_string_append_buf() returns jv_invalid_with_msg("String too long"), the raw-file loop does not stop. If the file contains at least one more byte, the next loop iteration appends a new chunk to an object that is already invalid. With assertions enabled this aborts in jvp_string_ptr(). With assertions disabled, the invalid object is interpreted as a string object and ASan reports heap-buffer-overflow. This vulnerability is fixed in 1.8.2. A flaw was found in jq, a command-line JSON processor. This vulnerability allows an attacker to trigger a heap out-of-bounds write by providing a specially crafted, oversized file to the `jq --rawfile` option. This can lead to a denial of service (DoS), making the affected system or application unavailable, and may also impact data integrity. Exploitation requires user interaction, as a user must process the malicious file. A flaw was found in jq, a command-line JSON processor. When using the `--rawfile` option to process an oversized file, jq can trigger a heap out-of-bounds write in assertion-disabled builds (typical for release builds). Exploitation requires a local user to explicitly process an attacker-controlled file. With assertions enabled, the process aborts instead of corrupting memory. Red Hat severity: Moderate — CVSS 6.6 (CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H). Weakness: CWE-787. Fixed by RHSA-2026:29986 — update the affected packages (`sudo dnf update`). Affected Red Hat products: Red Hat Hardened Images.
- jq-main-1.8.2-0.1.hum1
Official advisory · high-confidence parse· fetched 7 hours ago·verify at source
- jq-main-1.8.2-0.1.hum1
- RHSA-2026:29986
Official advisory · high-confidence parse· fetched 7 hours ago·verify at source
Mitigation checklist
- Avoid using `jq --rawfile` with untrusted or user-controlled files.
Official advisory · high-confidence parse· fetched 7 hours ago·verify at source
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