CVE-2016-4074

Name: CVE-2016-4074
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2016-05-06T17:59:07.303+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 7.5/10EPSS 5.33%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2016-4074 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 7.5/10 on the CVSS scale. The jv_dump_term function in jq 1.5 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (stack consumption and application crash) via a crafted JSON file. This issue has been fixed in jq 1.6_rc1-r0.. EPSS estimates a 5.33% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

The jv_dump_term function in jq 1.5 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (stack consumption and application crash) via a crafted JSON file. This issue has been fixed in jq 1.6_rc1-r0.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

7.5/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

EPSS Probability

5.33%

91.6th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-770

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Jq Project	Jq	<= 1.5

References

http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/04/24/3Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/04/24/4Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/pull/18908Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/hashicorp/consul/issues/10263Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/stedolan/jq/Product, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/stedolan/jq/issues/1136Exploit, Patch, Third Party Advisory
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/04/24/3Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/04/24/4Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/pull/18908Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/hashicorp/consul/issues/10263Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/stedolan/jq/Product, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/stedolan/jq/issues/1136Exploit, Patch, Third Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: May 6, 2016
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2016-4074?

The jv_dump_term function in jq 1.5 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (stack consumption and application crash) via a crafted JSON file. This issue has been fixed in jq 1.6_rc1-r0.

How severe is CVE-2016-4074?

CVE-2016-4074 has a CVSS score of 7.5/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 5.33% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2016-4074?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2016-4074?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST