CVE-2015-8863: Off-by-one error in the tokenadd function in jv_parse.c in jq allows remote attackers to cause a denial of ser

Q: How do I fix CVE-2015-8863?

leap: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; opensuse: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; jq: upgrade to newer than 1.5. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2015-8863 being exploited?

CVE-2015-8863 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2015-8863 affect?

CVE-2015-8863 affects leap, opensuse, jq. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). Off-by-one error in the tokenadd function in jv_parse.c in jq allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via a long JSON-encoded number, which triggers a heap-based buffer overflow.

Q: How urgent is CVE-2015-8863?

Priority 68/100. Critical severity; EPSS top 6%: very likely to be exploited; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist

This week

CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEWATCHLISTMITIGATEMITIGATEUPGRADE

CVE-2015-8863 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting leap, opensuse, jq. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Off-by-one error in the tokenadd function in jv_parse.c in jq allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via a long JSON-encoded number, which triggers a heap-based buffer overflow.

Why this priority

Critical severity
EPSS top 6%: very likely to be exploited
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.8 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	7.3% (top 6%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-119
Published	2016-05-06
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): Debian GNU/Linux · Vendor: jq project · opensuse

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2016-05-06 17:59 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 00:35 UTCUpdated Record last modified

opensuse leap MITIGATE

Affected: 42.1

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 42.1

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

opensuse opensuse MITIGATE

Affected: 13.2

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 13.2

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

jq project jq UPGRADE

Affected: <= 1.5

Fixed in: newer than 1.5

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy jq || rpm -q jq || jq --version

2. UPGRADE to newer than 1.5 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade jq

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade jq

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2015-8863?

leap: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; opensuse: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; jq: upgrade to newer than 1.5. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2015-8863 being exploited?

CVE-2015-8863 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2015-8863 affect?

CVE-2015-8863 affects leap, opensuse, jq. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). Off-by-one error in the tokenadd function in jv_parse.c in jq allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via a long JSON-encoded number, which triggers a heap-based buffer overflow.

How urgent is CVE-2015-8863?

Priority 68/100. Critical severity; EPSS top 6%: very likely to be exploited; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist

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References

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