CVE-2026-29036

cJSON versions 1.5.0 through 1.7.19 contain an incorrectly-resolved name or reference vulnerability in the decode_pointer_inplace() function within cJSON_Utils.c that allows unauthenticated attackers to cause JSON Patch operations to target wrong object keys by supplying crafted JSON Pointer escape sequences (~0 or ~1) in patch paths. Attackers can submit malicious RFC 6902 JSON Patch input to applications using cJSONUtils_ApplyPatches() or cJSONUtils_ApplyPatchesCaseSensitive() to silently corrupt data or delete unintended keys, potentially bypassing authorization controls in applications that rely on JSON Patch for access-controlled data modification.

Published 11 Aug 2026, 22:17 UTC Last modified 11 Aug 2026, 22:17 UTC

8.7

CVSS 4.0 HIGH base score

CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:N/VI:H/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X

Attack profile

The conditions required to exploit this vulnerability and its potential impact.

Attack vector Network

Attack complexity Low

Privileges required None

User interaction None

Scope Not assessed

Confidentiality Not assessed

Integrity Not assessed

Availability Not assessed

Affected products

Product applicability statements supplied with the NVD record.

NVD has not published structured affected-product data for this record.

Weakness classification

CWE categories help security teams group the underlying software weakness.

CWECWE-706

Source references

External advisories, patches and technical reports attached to this CVE record.

NVD National Vulnerability Database recordnvd.nist.gov 01 Technical reference disclosure@vulncheck.com 02 Technical reference disclosure@vulncheck.com