CVE-2026-44777 jq: stack overflow in module loading on mutual `include`

Medium 5.4 Published Updated

An attacker can cause a stack overflow and crash the jq JSON processor by providing modules that mutually include each other.

Exploited in the wild
Not known
Login needed
Not needed
Attackable
Local or same network only
Victim action needed
A user has to click or open something
Fix
Available

What is CVE-2026-44777?

CVE-2026-44777 is a medium-severity denial of service vulnerability in jqlang jq, published on 11 May 2026. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

Official description

jq is a command-line JSON processor. In 1.8.2rc1 and earlier, the ordinary module loader recurses without cycle detection when two otherwise valid modules include each other.

Weakness: CWE-674

Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-44777?

It affects 1 product.

Products include Jqlang Jq.

How do I fix CVE-2026-44777?

Upgrade to a fixed version.

Upgrade, then put limits on request size, rate and nesting depth so one client cannot exhaust the service. More about Denial of service.

Is CVE-2026-44777 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2026-44777 exists.

Sources

Also known as ALPINE-CVE-2026-44777, AZL-86645, BELL-CVE-2026-44777, DEBIAN-CVE-2026-44777, ECHO-e27d-8bab-6648, GHSA-rmpv-jgvr-wpr9 and 1 more.

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