Speex (libspeex) through 1.2.1 contains an out-of-bounds write vulnerability in speex_bits_read_whole_bytes() in
Affects speexSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 8.3 High.
Data as of 28 Oct 2026, 22:33 UTC
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:N/UI:N/VC:N/VI:L/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:NExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 26 Oct 2026
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponised: no evidence on record.
No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB
Exploited in the wildExploited: no evidence on record.
Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by Mirage: no evidence on record.
No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors
A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 26 Oct 2026.
What to do
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
Ubuntu 26.10speexpkg:deb/ubuntu/speex?arch=source&distro=stonkingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSspeexpkg:deb/ubuntu/speex?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSspeexpkg:deb/ubuntu/speex?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 22.04 LTSspeexpkg:deb/ubuntu/speex?arch=source&distro=jammyOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 20.04 LTSspeexpkg:deb/ubuntu/speex?arch=source&distro=focalOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 18.04 LTSspeexpkg:deb/ubuntu/speex?arch=source&distro=bionicOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Check your own hosts for these packages with threat-finder (opens in a new tab), our free open-source scanner.
AI-suggested
Until a fix is available, avoid processing untrusted Speex data or use alternative safe libraries.
Description
Speex (libspeex) versions through 1.2.1 contain an out-of-bounds write vulnerability in the speex_bits_read_whole_bytes() function. This flaw mishandles length truncation for non-owned SpeexBits buffers, allowing attackers to stream crafted Speex data into buffers initialized by speex_bits_init_buffer() or speex_bits_set_bit_buffer(). Exploitation can lead to heap or stack memory corruption and cause application crashes.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-116741 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-116741 (opens in a new tab)
- github.com/xiph/speex (opens in a new tab)
- github.com/cveproject/cvelistv5/tree/main/cves/2026/116xxx/cve-2026-116741.json (opens in a new tab)
- github.com/xiph/speex/blob/speex-1.2.1/libspeex/bits.c (opens in a new tab)
- github.com/xiph/speex/issues/42 (opens in a new tab)
- gitlab.xiph.org/xiph/speex/-/merge_requests/32 (opens in a new tab)
- hackmd.io/@haindpwn/speex-bits-read-whole-bytes-oob-write (opens in a new tab)
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/cve-2026-116741 (opens in a new tab)
- vulncheck.com/advisories/speex-through-1.2.1-out-of-bounds-write-via-speex-bits-read-whole-bytes (opens in a new tab)