USN-6858-1: eSpeak NG Vulnerabilities Alert

In the realm of text-to-speech technologies, eSpeak NG stands out as a compact, open-source option widely utilized across different platforms for its accessibility functions. However, recent findings have unearthed multiple security vulnerabilities within its code – specifically in version 1.52-dev, raising serious concerns about both user safety and data security.

The identified vulnerabilities, cataloged under the codes CVE-2023-49990 to CVE-2023-49994, encompass a succession of critical weaknesses that could potentially allow an attacker to execute arbitary code or cause denial of service attacks. Here’s a breakdown of what each CVE entails and why they should matter to the users of eSpeak NG:

  • CVE-2023-49990: This buffer overflow vulnerability arises through the function SetUpPhonemeTable in synthdata.c, which can let an attacker execute arbitary code by overflowing data beyond the allocated memory bounds.
  • CVE-2023-49991: Found within the function CountVowelPosition, this stack buffer underflow allows unintended operations below the stack’s base, leading to crashes or execution of arbitrary commands, contingent on the data manipulated by the underflow.
  • CVE-2023-49992: A critical stack buffer overflow caused by the function RemoveEnding in dictionary.c can be exploited to manipulate system behavior by writing data past the end of a stack-based buffer.
  • CVE-2023-49993: Similar to CVE-2023-49990, this buffer overflow in the function ReadClause at readclause.c allows external control over system data and operations through overrun boundaries.
  • CVE-2023-49994: This vulnerability is triggered by a floating-point exception in the function PeaksToHarmspect at wavegen.c, which can crash the system or cause unstable system behavior due to improperly handled numeric calculations.

To the everyday user, the impact of these vulnerabilities ranges from unexpected system shutdowns to potential breaches of sensitive information, thereby illustrating the necessity of maintaining rigorous software updates and security measures. For systems administrators and developers using eSpeak NG, understanding these vulnerabilities is crucial as they can seriously compromise the integrity and reliability of systems depending on this technology.

As a response to these findings, patches and software updates will be essential to mitigate the risks associated with these vulnerabilities. Users and administrators are advised to apply all relevant security patches and stay abreast of any updates from the developers of eSpeak NG. It's imperative to address these security issues promptly to ensure data integrity and the functional safety of systems utilizing eSpeak NG.

For more information on securing your systems and maintaining operational integrity in the face of such vulnerabilities, visit LinuxPatch.