# CVE-2026-41256: jq: Embedded NUL truncates top-level jq programs loaded with -f

CVE-2026-41256 is fixed in jq on 1 platform, first by DEBIAN-CVE-2026-41256, released May 27, 2026. It is not reported as exploited. Patch Radar priority: Routine.

- Web page: https://patchblox.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-41256
- Priority: Routine
- CVSS: 5.5 (Moderate)
- EPSS: 0.0016
- CISA KEV: not listed
- Exploited (vendor report): no
- Publicly disclosed: no
- Published: May 11, 2026
- Weakness: Improper Neutralization of Null Byte or NUL Character
- Vendor advisory: https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-41256

## Description

jq is a command-line JSON processor. In 1.8.1 and earlier, Top-level jq programs loaded from a file with -f are truncated at the first embedded NUL byte on current upstream HEAD. A crafted filter file such as . followed by \x00 and arbitrary suffix compiles and executes as only the prefix before the NUL. This leaves jq with a post-CVE-2026-33948 prefix/full-buffer mismatch on the compilation path even though the JSON parser path has already been fixed.

## Where it's fixed

| Platform | Product | Fixed in | Fix | Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linux | jq Debian 12.15 (bookworm) | 1.6-2.1+deb12u2 | [DEBIAN-CVE-2026-41256](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/debian-cve-2026-41256.md) | May 27, 2026 |
| Linux | jq Debian 13.5 (trixie) | 1.7.1-6+deb13u3 | [DEBIAN-CVE-2026-41256](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/debian-cve-2026-41256.md) | May 27, 2026 |
| Linux | jq Debian 14 | 1.8.1-6 | [DEBIAN-CVE-2026-41256](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/debian-cve-2026-41256.md) | May 27, 2026 |
| Linux | jq opensuse-leap 16.0 | 1.7.1-160000.3.1 | [OPENSUSE-SU-2026:21248-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/opensuse-su-2026-21248-1.md) | Jul 7, 2026 |
| Linux | jq sles 15.6 | 1.7.1-150000.3.25.1 | [SUSE-SU-2026:4275-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/suse-su-2026-4275-1.md) | Sep 21, 2026 |
| Linux | jq sles 15.7 | 1.7.1-150000.3.25.1 | [SUSE-SU-2026:4275-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/suse-su-2026-4275-1.md) | Sep 21, 2026 |
| Linux | jq sles 16.0 | 1.7.1-160000.3.1 | [SUSE-SU-2026:22566-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/suse-su-2026-22566-1.md) | Jul 7, 2026 |

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Data as of 2026-11-08T06:59:42Z UTC. Source: Patchblox Patch Radar (https://patchblox.com/security/patch-radar). Patchblox finds out-of-date software on Windows, macOS and Linux and updates it through release rings: https://patchblox.com/demo

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