Sources: National Vulnerability Database, CVE.org, CISA KEV, FIRST EPSS
CVE-2026-17493 Overview
IBM Watson Speech Services Cartridge 4.0.0 through 5.4.0 could allow a remote attacker to cause a denial of service due to an out-of-bounds read.
Critical Impact
Affected Products
- IBM Watson Speech Services Cartridge: see the vendor advisory for the exact affected versions
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-11-04: CVE-2026-17493 published to the National Vulnerability Database by psirt@us.ibm.com
- 2026-11-04: last updated in the NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-17493
Vulnerability Analysis
CVE-2026-17493 is a Out of Bounds Read weakness (CWE-125: Out of Bounds Read) in IBM Watson Speech Services Cartridge. Based on its CVSS vector, the flaw can be reached over the network, needs no login, and needs no user interaction. The program reads memory past the end of a buffer, leaking data or crashing.
With a CVSS base score of 7.5, apply the vendor fix and confirm exposure on internet facing and business critical assets first.
Root Cause
The weakness is classified as CWE-125: Out of Bounds Read. The program reads memory past the end of a buffer, leaking data or crashing.
Attack Vector
Based on the CVSS vector, the flaw can be reached over the network, needs no login, and needs no user interaction. Attack complexity is low complexity.
No exploitation in the wild is confirmed by CISA at the time of the last update. Check the references below for any vendor or researcher proof of concept.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-17493
Detection Strategies
- Inventory every instance of IBM Watson Speech Services Cartridge and compare the running version with the affected range above.
- Check external attack surface scans for internet facing instances of the component.
- Run an authenticated vulnerability scan once your scanner ships a check for this CVE.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Forward IBM Watson Speech Services Cartridge application, access and audit logs to your SIEM for retrospective hunting.
- Alert on new processes, configuration changes or outbound connections from the affected service.
- Track the vendor advisory and the CISA KEV catalog for changes in exploitation status.
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-17493
Immediate Actions Required
- Apply the fixed version of IBM Watson Speech Services Cartridge named in the vendor advisory.
- Prioritize internet facing and business critical instances first.
- Rescan after the change to confirm the exposure is closed.
Patch Information
Use the fixed version listed in the vendor advisory for IBM Watson Speech Services Cartridge.
Workarounds
- If patching must wait, restrict network access to the affected service and place it behind authentication or a web application firewall rule.
CWE References
- CWE-125: Out of Bounds Read More CVEs with this weakness
Technical References
This entry is built directly from NVD, CISA KEV and EPSS data. Verify fixed versions in the vendor advisory before you deploy.
Frequently asked questions
Related CVEs
Kitty is a cross-platform GPU based terminal. In versions 0.46.2 and below, the handle_compose_command() function in kitty/graphics.c performs bounds validation on composition offsets using unsigned 32-bit arithmetic that is subject to integer wrapping, potentially leading to Heap Buffer Over-Read/Write. An attacker who can write escape sequences to a kitty terminal (e.g., via a malicious file, SSH login banner, or piped content) can supply crafted x_offset/y_offset values that pass the bounds check after wrapping but cause massive out-of-bounds heap memory access in compose_rectangles(). No user interaction is required. No non-default configuration is required. The attacker only needs the ability to produce output in a kitty terminal window. This issue has been fixed in version 0.47.0.
SiYuan is a personal knowledge management system. Prior to version 3.6.2, document IDs were retrieved via the /api/file/readDir interface, and then the /api/block/getChildBlocks interface was used to view the content of all documents. Version 3.6.2 patches the issue.
Undefined behavior in the DOM: Core & HTML component. This vulnerability was fixed in Firefox 148, Firefox ESR 115.33, Firefox ESR 140.8, Thunderbird 148, and Thunderbird 140.8.
Out of bounds read and write in Tint in Google Chrome on Mac prior to 145.0.7632.116 allowed a remote attacker to perform out of bounds memory access via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: High)
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: libceph: prevent potential out-of-bounds reads in handle_auth_done() Perform an explicit bounds check on payload_len to avoid a possible out-of-bounds access in the callout. [ idryomov: changelog ]
Memory safety bugs present in Firefox 149.0.1 and Thunderbird 149.0.1. Some of these bugs showed evidence of memory corruption and we presume that with enough effort some of these could have been exploited to run arbitrary code. This vulnerability was fixed in Firefox 149.0.2 and Thunderbird 149.0.2.
Earn your free CTEM certification.
Learn to scope, prioritize, validate and mobilize fixes for CVEs like CVE-2026-17493 with a free CTEM certification.
Beginner / Practitioner / Program Leader
Explore certifications