'az vm image list' crashes

[brainpanw]

Describe the bug

The 'az vm image list' command via the Cloud Shell in the Azure Portal throws an exception no matter what parameters you specify (including no parameters). Other commands work successfully (e.g. az vm image list-offers).

Related command

az vm image list

Errors

$ az vm image list
The command failed with an unexpected error. Here is the traceback:
Extra data: line 1 column 4 (char 3)
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/lib64/az/lib/python3.12/site-packages/knack/cli.py", line 233, in invoke
    cmd_result = self.invocation.execute(args)
                 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib64/az/lib/python3.12/site-packages/azure/cli/core/commands/__init__.py", line 682, in execute
    raise ex
  File "/usr/lib64/az/lib/python3.12/site-packages/azure/cli/core/commands/__init__.py", line 812, in _run_jobs_serially
    results.append(self._run_job(expanded_arg, cmd_copy))
                   ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib64/az/lib/python3.12/site-packages/azure/cli/core/commands/__init__.py", line 781, in _run_job
    result = cmd_copy(params)
             ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib64/az/lib/python3.12/site-packages/azure/cli/core/commands/__init__.py", line 336, in __call__
    return self.handler(*args, **kwargs)
           ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib64/az/lib/python3.12/site-packages/azure/cli/core/commands/command_operation.py", line 120, in handler
    return op(**command_args)
           ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib64/az/lib/python3.12/site-packages/azure/cli/command_modules/vm/custom.py", line 2694, in list_vm_images
    all_images = load_images_from_aliases_doc(cmd.cli_ctx, publisher_name, offer, sku, architecture)
                 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib64/az/lib/python3.12/site-packages/azure/cli/command_modules/vm/_actions.py", line 196, in load_images_from_aliases_doc
    dic = json.loads(response.content.decode())
          ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3.12/json/__init__.py", line 346, in loads
    return _default_decoder.decode(s)
           ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3.12/json/decoder.py", line 341, in decode
    raise JSONDecodeError("Extra data", s, end)
json.decoder.JSONDecodeError: Extra data: line 1 column 4 (char 3)

Issue script & Debug output

$ az vm image list --debug
cli.knack.cli: Command arguments: ['vm', 'image', 'list', '--debug']
cli.knack.cli: __init__ debug log:
Enable color in terminal.
cli.knack.cli: Event: Cli.PreExecute []
cli.knack.cli: Event: CommandParser.OnGlobalArgumentsCreate [<function CLILogging.on_global_arguments at 0x7f6610afad40>, <function OutputProducer.on_global_arguments at 0x7f66108705e0>, <function CLIQuery.on_global_arguments at 0x7f661089db20>]
cli.knack.cli: Event: CommandInvoker.OnPreCommandTableCreate []
cli.azure.cli.core: Modules found from index for 'vm': ['azure.cli.command_modules.vm']
cli.azure.cli.core: Loading command modules...
cli.azure.cli.core: Loaded command modules in parallel:
cli.azure.cli.core: Name                  Load Time    Groups  Commands
cli.azure.cli.core: vm                        0.507        60       224
cli.azure.cli.core: Total (1)                 0.509        60       224
cli.azure.cli.core: These extensions are not installed and will be skipped: ['azext_ai_examples', 'azext_next']
cli.azure.cli.core: Loading extensions:
cli.azure.cli.core: Name                  Load Time    Groups  Commands  Directory
cli.azure.cli.core: Total (0)                 0.000         0         0  
cli.azure.cli.core: Loaded 60 groups, 224 commands.
cli.azure.cli.core: Found a match in the command table.
cli.azure.cli.core: Raw command  : vm image list
cli.azure.cli.core: Command table: vm image list
cli.knack.cli: Event: CommandInvoker.OnPreCommandTableTruncate [<function AzCliLogging.init_command_file_logging at 0x7f660f960040>]
cli.azure.cli.core.azlogging: metadata file logging enabled - writing logs to '/home/brian/.azure/commands/2026-04-09.16-43-12.vm_image_list.2536.log'.
az_command_data_logger: command args: vm image list --debug
cli.knack.cli: Event: CommandInvoker.OnPreArgumentLoad [<function register_global_subscription_argument.<locals>.add_subscription_parameter at 0x7f660f9b9bc0>]
cli.azure.cli.core.profiles._shared: Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/lib64/az/lib/python3.12/site-packages/azure/cli/core/profiles/_shared.py", line 455, in _get_attr
    op = import_module(full_mod_path)
         ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3.12/importlib/__init__.py", line 90, in import_module
    return _bootstrap._gcd_import(name[level:], package, level)
           ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "<frozen importlib._bootstrap>", line 1387, in _gcd_import
  File "<frozen importlib._bootstrap>", line 1360, in _find_and_load
  File "<frozen importlib._bootstrap>", line 1310, in _find_and_load_unlocked
  File "<frozen importlib._bootstrap>", line 488, in _call_with_frames_removed
  File "<frozen importlib._bootstrap>", line 1387, in _gcd_import
  File "<frozen importlib._bootstrap>", line 1360, in _find_and_load
  File "<frozen importlib._bootstrap>", line 1324, in _find_and_load_unlocked
ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'azure.mgmt.compute.v2024_03_03'

cli.knack.cli: Event: CommandInvoker.OnPostArgumentLoad []
cli.knack.cli: Event: CommandInvoker.OnPostCommandTableCreate [<function register_ids_argument.<locals>.add_ids_arguments at 0x7f660f7e4400>, <function register_cache_arguments.<locals>.add_cache_arguments at 0x7f660f7e45e0>, <function register_upcoming_breaking_change_info.<locals>.update_breaking_change_info at 0x7f660f7e4680>]
cli.knack.cli: Event: CommandInvoker.OnCommandTableLoaded []
cli.knack.cli: Event: CommandInvoker.OnPreParseArgs []
cli.knack.cli: Event: CommandInvoker.OnPostParseArgs [<function OutputProducer.handle_output_argument at 0x7f6610870680>, <function CLIQuery.handle_query_parameter at 0x7f661089dbc0>, <function register_ids_argument.<locals>.parse_ids_arguments at 0x7f660f7e44a0>]
urllib3.connectionpool: Starting new HTTPS connection (1): azcliprod.blob.core.windows.net:443
urllib3.connectionpool: https://azcliprod.blob.core.windows.net:443 "GET /cli/vm/aliases.json HTTP/1.1" 200 14
cli.azure.cli.core.azclierror: Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/lib64/az/lib/python3.12/site-packages/knack/cli.py", line 233, in invoke
    cmd_result = self.invocation.execute(args)
                 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib64/az/lib/python3.12/site-packages/azure/cli/core/commands/__init__.py", line 682, in execute
    raise ex
  File "/usr/lib64/az/lib/python3.12/site-packages/azure/cli/core/commands/__init__.py", line 812, in _run_jobs_serially
    results.append(self._run_job(expanded_arg, cmd_copy))
                   ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib64/az/lib/python3.12/site-packages/azure/cli/core/commands/__init__.py", line 781, in _run_job
    result = cmd_copy(params)
             ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib64/az/lib/python3.12/site-packages/azure/cli/core/commands/__init__.py", line 336, in __call__
    return self.handler(*args, **kwargs)
           ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib64/az/lib/python3.12/site-packages/azure/cli/core/commands/command_operation.py", line 120, in handler
    return op(**command_args)
           ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib64/az/lib/python3.12/site-packages/azure/cli/command_modules/vm/custom.py", line 2694, in list_vm_images
    all_images = load_images_from_aliases_doc(cmd.cli_ctx, publisher_name, offer, sku, architecture)
                 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib64/az/lib/python3.12/site-packages/azure/cli/command_modules/vm/_actions.py", line 196, in load_images_from_aliases_doc
    dic = json.loads(response.content.decode())
          ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3.12/json/__init__.py", line 346, in loads
    return _default_decoder.decode(s)
           ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3.12/json/decoder.py", line 341, in decode
    raise JSONDecodeError("Extra data", s, end)
json.decoder.JSONDecodeError: Extra data: line 1 column 4 (char 3)

cli.azure.cli.core.azclierror: The command failed with an unexpected error. Here is the traceback:
az_command_data_logger: The command failed with an unexpected error. Here is the traceback:
cli.azure.cli.core.azclierror: Extra data: line 1 column 4 (char 3)
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/lib64/az/lib/python3.12/site-packages/knack/cli.py", line 233, in invoke
    cmd_result = self.invocation.execute(args)
                 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib64/az/lib/python3.12/site-packages/azure/cli/core/commands/__init__.py", line 682, in execute
    raise ex
  File "/usr/lib64/az/lib/python3.12/site-packages/azure/cli/core/commands/__init__.py", line 812, in _run_jobs_serially
    results.append(self._run_job(expanded_arg, cmd_copy))
                   ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib64/az/lib/python3.12/site-packages/azure/cli/core/commands/__init__.py", line 781, in _run_job
    result = cmd_copy(params)
             ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib64/az/lib/python3.12/site-packages/azure/cli/core/commands/__init__.py", line 336, in __call__
    return self.handler(*args, **kwargs)
           ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib64/az/lib/python3.12/site-packages/azure/cli/core/commands/command_operation.py", line 120, in handler
    return op(**command_args)
           ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib64/az/lib/python3.12/site-packages/azure/cli/command_modules/vm/custom.py", line 2694, in list_vm_images
    all_images = load_images_from_aliases_doc(cmd.cli_ctx, publisher_name, offer, sku, architecture)
                 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib64/az/lib/python3.12/site-packages/azure/cli/command_modules/vm/_actions.py", line 196, in load_images_from_aliases_doc
    dic = json.loads(response.content.decode())
          ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3.12/json/__init__.py", line 346, in loads
    return _default_decoder.decode(s)
           ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3.12/json/decoder.py", line 341, in decode
    raise JSONDecodeError("Extra data", s, end)
json.decoder.JSONDecodeError: Extra data: line 1 column 4 (char 3)
az_command_data_logger: Extra data: line 1 column 4 (char 3)
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/lib64/az/lib/python3.12/site-packages/knack/cli.py", line 233, in invoke
    cmd_result = self.invocation.execute(args)
                 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib64/az/lib/python3.12/site-packages/azure/cli/core/commands/__init__.py", line 682, in execute
    raise ex
  File "/usr/lib64/az/lib/python3.12/site-packages/azure/cli/core/commands/__init__.py", line 812, in _run_jobs_serially
    results.append(self._run_job(expanded_arg, cmd_copy))
                   ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib64/az/lib/python3.12/site-packages/azure/cli/core/commands/__init__.py", line 781, in _run_job
    result = cmd_copy(params)
             ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib64/az/lib/python3.12/site-packages/azure/cli/core/commands/__init__.py", line 336, in __call__
    return self.handler(*args, **kwargs)
           ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib64/az/lib/python3.12/site-packages/azure/cli/core/commands/command_operation.py", line 120, in handler
    return op(**command_args)
           ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib64/az/lib/python3.12/site-packages/azure/cli/command_modules/vm/custom.py", line 2694, in list_vm_images
    all_images = load_images_from_aliases_doc(cmd.cli_ctx, publisher_name, offer, sku, architecture)
                 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib64/az/lib/python3.12/site-packages/azure/cli/command_modules/vm/_actions.py", line 196, in load_images_from_aliases_doc
    dic = json.loads(response.content.decode())
          ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3.12/json/__init__.py", line 346, in loads
    return _default_decoder.decode(s)
           ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3.12/json/decoder.py", line 341, in decode
    raise JSONDecodeError("Extra data", s, end)
json.decoder.JSONDecodeError: Extra data: line 1 column 4 (char 3)
To check existing issues, please visit: https://github.com/Azure/azure-cli/issues
cli.knack.cli: Event: Cli.PostExecute [<function AzCliLogging.deinit_cmd_metadata_logging at 0x7f660f9602c0>]
az_command_data_logger: exit code: 1
cli.__main__: Command ran in 1.000 seconds (init: 0.224, invoke: 0.776)
telemetry.main: Begin splitting cli events and extra events, total events: 1
telemetry.client: Accumulated 0 events. Flush the clients.
telemetry.main: Finish splitting cli events and extra events, cli events: 1
telemetry.save: Save telemetry record of length 8380 in cache file under /home/brian/.azure/telemetry/20260409164312485
telemetry.main: Begin creating telemetry upload process.
telemetry.process: Creating upload process: "/usr/bin/python3.12 /usr/lib/az/lib/python3.12/site-packages/azure/cli/telemetry/__init__.py /home/brian/.azure /home/brian/.azure/telemetry/20260409164312485"
telemetry.process: Return from creating process 2547
telemetry.main: Finish creating telemetry upload process.

Expected behavior

Expected the list vm images command to succeed or fail gracefully

Environment Summary

$ az --version
azure-cli                         2.84.0 *

core                              2.84.0 *
telemetry                          1.1.0

Extensions:
ml                                2.41.1
ssh                                2.0.6

Dependencies:
msal                            1.35.0b1
azure-mgmt-resource               24.0.0

Python location '/usr/bin/python3.12'
Config directory '/home/brian/.azure'
Extensions directory '/home/brian/.azure/cliextensions'
Extensions system directory '/usr/lib/python3.12/site-packages/azure-cli-extensions'

Python (Linux) 3.12.9 (main, Mar  4 2026, 02:40:54) [GCC 13.2.0]

Additional context

No response

[azure-client-tools-bot-prd]

Hi @brainpanw,

2.84.0 is not the latest Azure CLI(2.85.0).

If you haven't already attempted to do so, please upgrade to the latest Azure CLI version by following https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/cli/azure/update-azure-cli.

[yonzhan]

Thank you for opening this issue, we will look into it.

[satishmanchanas-sudo]

@brainpanw - Did you try searching for very specific image like below:
az vm image list --all --publisher MicrosoftWindowsServer --offer WindowsServer --sku 2025-datacenter --output table or az vm image list --all --publisher Canonical --offer 0001-com-ubuntu-server-jammy --output table

If yes, May I know what is the result?

[brainpanw]

@brainpanw - Did you try searching for very specific image like below: az vm image list --all --publisher MicrosoftWindowsServer --offer WindowsServer --sku 2025-datacenter --output table or az vm image list --all --publisher Canonical --offer 0001-com-ubuntu-server-jammy --output table

If yes, May I know what is the result?

This works: az vm image list --all -p MicrosoftWindowsServer --offer WindowsServer -o table

If I remove the -all parameter, it crashes: az vm image list -p MicrosoftWindowsServer --offer WindowsServer -o table