CVE-2023-50268Public exploit

Process crash via undersized NaN comparison result

Published Dec 13, 2023 · Updated Feb 13, 2025

Stack-based buffer overflow in jq 1.7 allows local users to crash builds using decNumber by comparing a NaN with a large payload. In jvp_number_cmp, a bare decNumber result lacks the extra decNumberUnit storage that decNaNs writes while comparing payload-bearing NaNs. A local user must cause the affected executable to process the crafted comparison; the demonstrated consequence is process termination.

CVSS severity6.2
Medium
EPSS probability0.44%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Stack-based buffer overflow in jq 1.7 allows local users to crash builds using decNumber by comparing a NaN with a large payload. In jvp_number_cmp, a bare decNumber result lacks the extra decNumberUnit storage that decNaNs writes while comparing payload-bearing NaNs. A local user must cause the affected executable to process the crafted comparison; the demonstrated consequence is process termination.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-50268
Published
Dec 13, 2023
Updated
Feb 13, 2025
Vendor
jqlang
Product
jq
Classifications
CWE-121, CWE-120, T1499.004
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Dec 13, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Feb 13, 2025Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion== 1.7

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

jqlang · jqversion== 1.7

Published CVSS scores

5.5NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
6.2GitHub CNACVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

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No observations available

Sep 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-121Stack-based Buffer Overflow
CWE-120Buffer Copy without Checking Size of Input ('Classic Buffer Overflow')
T1499.004Endpoint Denial of Service: Application or System Exploitation

Public exploit references

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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