---
id: "CVE-2026-16725"
kind: "vulnerability"
aliases: ["CVE-2026-16725"]
title: "IBM Watson Speech Services: authenticated remote users can read arbitrary local files"
severity: "medium"
cvss: 6.5
epss: null
exploited: false
status: "open"
category: "infrastructure"
products: []
ecosystems: []
tags: ["cp4d", "ibm-watson", "infrastructure", "self-hosted"]
not_affected_if: ["outside-affected-versions"]
published_at: "2026-11-04T21:18:12+00:00"
first_seen_at: "2026-11-04T21:49:23+00:00"
updated_at: "2026-11-04T21:51:12+00:00"
sources: [{"source": "nvd", "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-16725", "first_seen_at": "2026-11-04T21:49:23+00:00"}]
exploit_sources: []
---

# IBM Watson Speech Services: authenticated remote users can read arbitrary local files

IBM Watson Speech Services Cartridge versions 4.0.0 through 5.4.0 contain a path traversal flaw. A logged-in remote attacker can read arbitrary files from the server's local filesystem.

_Summary, check and fix written by a model from the sources; labelled as such._

## How to check

- Confirm whether IBM Watson Speech Services Cartridge is deployed and check its version against `4.0.0` through `5.4.0`

## Timeline

- 2026-11-04T21:49:23+00:00 nvd https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-16725

## From the sources

IBM Watson Speech Services Cartridge 4.0.0 through 5.4.0 could allow a remote authenticated attacker to read arbitrary files from the local filesystem due to path traversal.

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_Free to read at a human pace. An API with keys and an MCP server are in preparation; early access: hello@infrastack.ai_