# CVE-2026-120194: Json-glib: json-glib: infinite loop in json_path_query() with negative jsonpath slice step

Status: published. Published: 2026-10-31. Updated: 2026-11-02.

A flaw was found in json-glib. The JSONPath slice evaluator used by json_path_query() can enter an infinite loop when given a slice expression with a negative step. An application that evaluates attacker-controlled JSONPath expressions can be forced into a hang, leading to a denial of service.

## Remediation

- workaround: Do not evaluate untrusted JSONPath expressions with json_path_query() or json_path_compile()/json_path_match() until a fix is available. Prefer fixed, application-defined path expressions. In particular, reject or avoid slice expressions that specify a negative step. (source: CNA: redhat)

## Affected products and versions

- Red Hat / Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10 (json-glib): Version range not reported. Source: CNA: redhat
- Red Hat / Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 (json-glib): Version range not reported. Source: CNA: redhat
- Red Hat / Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 (json-glib): Version range not reported. Source: CNA: redhat
- Red Hat / Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 (json-glib): Version range not reported. Source: CNA: redhat
- Red Hat / Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4 (openshift/ose-rhel-coreos-8): Version range not reported. Source: CNA: redhat
- Red Hat / Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4 (openshift/ose-rhel-coreos-9): Version range not reported. Source: CNA: redhat
- Red Hat / Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 5 (openshift/ose-rhel-coreos-9): Version range not reported. Source: CNA: redhat

## Severity and prioritization

- CVSS 3.1: 7.5 (high); CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H; source: CNA: redhat

- CISA KEV: No listing in collected sources

- EPSS: 0.47% as of 2026-11-01; percentile 41.09%

- SSVC: Not available

- Weaknesses: CWE-835

## Exploit evidence

No exploit evidence in collected sources. This is not proof of no exploitation.

## References

- https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-120194 (CNA: redhat; vdb-entry, x_refsource_REDHAT)

- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2564418 (CNA: redhat; issue-tracking, x_refsource_REDHAT)

- https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/json-glib/-/issues/96 (CNA: redhat)

## Provenance

- CNA: redhat: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-120194; retrieved 2026-11-02; source updated 2026-11-02

- FIRST EPSS: https://api.first.org/data/v1/epss?cve=CVE-2026-120194; retrieved 2026-11-02; source updated Not reported

Revision: e757ebc4aea75920e1d58c64856616d4517b6161e92c4be9f8b204b715de457b

Canonical: https://y2.dev/cve/CVE-2026-120194