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CVE-2024-23337: Medium Vulnerability in jqlang jq

The jq command-line JSON processor has a medium-severity vulnerability that could lead to denial of service. Organizations using affected versions should prioritize patching to mitigate risks.

MEDIUMCVSS 4.3 · Published May 21, 2025

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jq is a command-line JSON processor. In versions up to and including 1.7.1, an integer overflow arises when assigning value using an index of 2147483647, the signed integer limit. This causes a denial of service. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-190. The commit de21386681c0df0104a99d9d09db23a9b2a78b1e contains a patch for the issue. This vulnerability is considered medium severity (CVSS 4.3).

Risk to organizations includes potential denial of service, affecting the availability of services relying on jq. Due to the nature of the vulnerability, it could be exploited via a network attack, making it critical for organizations to assess their exposure.

The urgency for defenders is moderate. Organizations should schedule remediation to address this vulnerability in their environment. While no public exploits are currently confirmed, the existence of this vulnerability necessitates attention.

Given its status and potential impact, organizations utilizing affected versions of jq must take immediate action to mitigate risks associated with this vulnerability.

Vulnerability Details

The official CVE description states: 'jq is a command-line JSON processor. In versions up to and including 1.7.1, an integer overflow arises when assigning value using an index of 2147483647, the signed integer limit. This causes a denial of service.' The CVSS score is 4.3, indicating a medium severity level due to impacts on availability, with a low attack complexity and no privileges required.

Technical Analysis

The root cause of this vulnerability is an integer overflow that occurs when assigning a value using a specific index at the limit of signed integers. The attack vector is network-based, meaning it can be triggered remotely. The attack complexity is low, and no privileges are required for exploitation. User interaction is required, which limits the scope of the attack. The impact on confidentiality and integrity is none, while the availability impact is low, leading to potential service disruptions.

Risk & Impact Analysis

The real-world deployment risk is moderate. Organizations using jq in production environments should be aware of the potential for denial of service due to this vulnerability. This matters because affected systems may experience downtime, affecting operations and service delivery. The blast radius potential is limited to systems directly utilizing jq, but the impact on business continuity could be significant. Organizations should assess their current patch levels and prioritize remediation based on the CVSS score of 4.3.

Signal

Status

Known Exploit

No

Public PoC

No

Actively Exploited

No

Ransomware Use

No

Affected Versions

All versions of jq prior to and including 1.7.1 are affected by this vulnerability. Organizations should ensure they update to the latest version to mitigate these risks.

Mitigation & Remediation

Organizations should apply the patch provided in commit de21386681c0df0104a99d9d09db23a9b2a78b1e to fix this vulnerability. If the patch is unavailable, consider implementing configuration hardening to reduce potential exposure. It's also recommended to monitor systems for unusual behavior during this remediation process.

Detection Guidance

Monitor log files for signs of exploitation attempts, including failed access attempts or unusual spikes in resource usage. Behavioral anomalies that deviate from normal operation should also be flagged for further investigation.

AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight

The long-term significance of CVE-2024-23337 lies in its representation of challenges in managing integer overflows within software applications. Security teams should recognize the patterns and trends associated with similar vulnerabilities to enhance their defensive strategies. A strategic takeaway for organizations is to prioritize regular updates and monitoring to guard against potential vulnerabilities.

Organizations should validate remediation through penetration testing to identify similar weaknesses.

Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.

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