# CVE-2026-82418: IBM Watson Speech Services Cartridge use-after-free in OpenSSL

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-82418-ibm-watson-speech-services-cartridge-4-0-0-through-5-4-0-could  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-11-04. Updated: 2026-11-04  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-82418 · Severity: critical · CVSS 9.8 · Published 2026-11-04

IBM Watson Speech Services Cartridge, a cloud-based speech recognition and processing service, contains a use-after-free vulnerability in the OpenSSL cryptography library that could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code. The vulnerability is triggered when processing specially crafted PKCS#7 or S/MIME signed messages, potentially giving attackers complete control over the service and exposing sensitive data or causing service outages.

Technologies: [IBM Watson Speech Services Cartridge](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/watson-speech-services-cartridge). Vendors: [IBM](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/ibm).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-82418 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-82418 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-82418?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 9.8, published 4 November 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** IBM Watson Speech Services Cartridge 4.0.0 through 5.4.0.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-82418?** Yes: fixed in Watson Speech Services Cartridge 5.4.0 Patch 8. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-82418 attacked?** It is attacked over the network.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-82418?** Check whether you run IBM Watson Speech Services Cartridge at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## How to fix

- Fixed in Watson Speech Services Cartridge 5.4.0 Patch 8

## Technical details

A use-after-free vulnerability (CWE-416) exists in OpenSSL versions bundled in IBM Watson Speech Services Cartridge's cryptography wheels prior to version 48.01, affecting the PKCS#7 signature verification process. The flaw requires no authentication or user interaction and can be exploited remotely by sending specially crafted signed messages to any instance running the affected cartridge versions. A patch is available in version 5.4.0 Patch 8.

## Affected products

- IBM Watson Speech Services Cartridge 4.0.0 through 5.4.0

## Timeline

- 2026-10-22: advisory

## References

- [https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/7293510](https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/7293510)

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- [IBM Watson Speech Services Cartridge out-of-bounds read in Unpacker](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-17493-ibm-watson-speech-services-cartridge-4-0-0-through-5-4-0-could)
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