CVE-2025-57052: cJSON 1.5.0 through 1.7.18 allows out-of-bounds access via the decode_array_index_from_pointer function in cJS

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CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEUPGRADE

CVE-2025-57052 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting cjson. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

cJSON 1.5.0 through 1.7.18 allows out-of-bounds access via the decode_array_index_from_pointer function in cJSON_Utils.c, allowing remote attackers to bypass array bounds checking and access restricted data via malformed JSON pointer strings containing alphanumeric characters.

Why this priority

Critical severity
Public exploit reference
CISA SSVC: automatable with total technical impact
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

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	0.7% (top 45%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-125, CWE-129
Published	2025-09-03
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: davegamble

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2025-09-03 15:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 09:42 UTCUpdated Record last modified

davegamble cjson UPGRADE

Affected: >= 1.5.0 and <= 1.7.18

Fixed in: newer than 1.7.18

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.5.0

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to newer than 1.7.18 (Debian / Ubuntu)

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

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade cjson

Note

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

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.5.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison cjson sudo apt install cjson=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.5.0> sudo apt-mark hold cjson

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list cjson sudo dnf downgrade cjson-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.5.0> sudo dnf versionlock add cjson

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Exact fixes by distribution

Fedora 46 · pipx · FIXED · 1.18.9-1.fc46 · FEDORA-2026-95305954ab · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-95305954ab

Fedora ELN · libisds · FIXED · 0.11.2-19.eln159 · FEDORA-2026-bf61b68668 · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-bf61b68668

Debian 12 · cjson · FIXED · 1.7.15-1+deb12u4

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade cjson dpkg --compare-versions "$(dpkg-query -W -f='${Version}' cjson)" ge "1.7.15-1+deb12u4" && echo PATCHED || echo STILL-VULNERABLE

Debian 13 · cjson · FIXED · 1.7.18-3.1+deb13u1

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade cjson dpkg --compare-versions "$(dpkg-query -W -f='${Version}' cjson)" ge "1.7.18-3.1+deb13u1" && echo PATCHED || echo STILL-VULNERABLE

Alpine 3.20 · cjson · FIXED · cjson-1.7.19-r0

apk add --upgrade cjson apk info -v cjson

Alpine 3.21 · cjson · FIXED · cjson-1.7.19-r0

apk add --upgrade cjson apk info -v cjson

Alpine 3.22 · cjson · FIXED · cjson-1.7.19-r0

apk add --upgrade cjson apk info -v cjson

Alpine 3.23 · cjson · FIXED · cjson-1.7.19-r0

apk add --upgrade cjson apk info -v cjson

Public exploits and detection

Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.

GitHub PoC: DhruvP2205/cjson-rust-port (0 stars)
Write-up: x-0r.com/posts/cJSON-Array-Index-Parsing-Vulnerability

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-2025-57052?

cjson: upgrade to newer than 1.7.18. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2025-57052 being exploited?

CVE-2025-57052 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-2025-57052 affect?

CVE-2025-57052 affects cjson. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). cJSON 1.5.0 through 1.7.18 allows out-of-bounds access via the decode_array_index_from_pointer function in cJSON_Utils.c, allowing remote attackers to bypass array bounds checking and access restricted data via malformed JSON pointer string

How urgent is CVE-2025-57052?

Priority 61/100. Critical severity; Public exploit reference; CISA SSVC: automatable with total technical impact; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

Related CVEs

CVE-2026-16554 HIGH 7.8 DOWNGRADE cJSON library is vulnerable to an integer overflow in the print_string_ptr() function in cJSON.c on 32-bit pla
CVE-2026-67215 HIGH 7.5 UPGRADE cJSON through 1.7.19 is vulnerable to uncontrolled recursion leading to stack exhaustion when an untrusted RFC
CVE-2026-67216 MEDIUM 5.9 UPGRADE cJSON through 1.7.19 contains an inefficient algorithmic complexity flaw in cJSON_Compare()
CVE-2026-67217 MEDIUM 5.3 UPGRADE cJSON through 1.7.19 applies RFC 6902 JSON Patch operations non-atomically in apply_patch() in cJSON_Utils.c
CVE-2024-31755 HIGH 7.6 DOWNGRADE cJSON v1.7.17 was discovered to contain a segmentation violation, which can trigger through the second paramet

References

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