Local policy bypass via NUL-truncated import paths
Published May 11, 2026 · Updated May 11, 2026
Improper NUL-byte handling in jq 1.8.1 and earlier allows local users to bypass import-name policies via crafted filters. In src/linker.c, length-aware jq strings pass validation before jv_string_value feeds NUL-terminated C routines, so lookup stops at the embedded NUL and opens a different module or data file. Exploitation requires control of a jq filter in a local workflow that separately validates logical import names; the wrong ruleset can preserve sensitive fields in published output.
Summary
What happened
Improper NUL-byte handling in jq 1.8.1 and earlier allows local users to bypass import-name policies via crafted filters. In src/linker.c, length-aware jq strings pass validation before jv_string_value feeds NUL-terminated C routines, so lookup stops at the embedded NUL and opens a different module or data file. Exploitation requires control of a jq filter in a local workflow that separately validates logical import names; the wrong ruleset can preserve sensitive fields in published output.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-43895
- Published
- May 11, 2026
- Updated
- May 11, 2026
- Vendor
- jqlang
- Product
- jq
- Classifications
- CWE-20, CWE-158
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- authenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- May 11, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- May 11, 2026Record 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.
- Affected versionversion=<= 1.8.1
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
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.
Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
- Embedded-NUL import policy-bypass proof of conceptproof of concept · demonstrated
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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