Fedora 42 Security Update: Critical Qt6-QtSpeech Vulnerability (CVE-2025-5455) – Patch Now

 

Fedora 42 users: Patch the critical Qt6-QtSpeech DoS vulnerability (CVE-2025-5455) now. Learn how this Qt 6.9.1 update fixes security flaws in text-to-speech functionality and why immediate action is required

A critical Denial of Service (DoS) vulnerability (CVE-2025-5455) has been identified in Qt6-QtSpeech, a key accessibility module in Fedora 42. This security flaw could allow attackers to crash applications using text-to-speech (TTS) functionality, impacting users who rely on accessibility features.

Why This Update Matters

• High Severity: Rated as a critical security update by Red Hat.

• Widespread Impact: Affects applications using Qt6-QtSpeech for accessibility.

• Immediate Action Required: Patch now to prevent potential DoS attacks.

What is Qt6-QtSpeech?

Qt6-QtSpeech is a crucial accessibility module enabling applications to support text-to-speech (TTS), benefiting:

• Visually impaired users

• Drivers who rely on voice-assisted notifications

• Any scenario where hands-free interaction is essential

This module is widely used in messaging apps, navigation software, and accessibility tools.

Key Features of Qt6-QtSpeech

✔ Text-to-Speech Conversion – Reads out notifications, messages, and alerts.

✔ Accessibility Compliance – Ensures apps meet WCAG standards.

✔ Cross-Platform Support – Works on Linux, Windows, and macOS.

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Security Risks & Fixes in Qt 6.9.1

The Qt 6.9.1 bugfix release addresses:

1. CVE-2025-5455 – A DoS vulnerability in QtCore causing assertion failures.

2. CVE-2025-5683 – A crash vulnerability in Qt ICNS image handling.

How Attackers Could Exploit This

• Crash applications using Qt6-QtSpeech.

• Disrupt accessibility services, affecting users who depend on TTS.

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How to Update Fedora 42

To apply the security patch, run:

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sudo dnf upgrade --advisory FEDORA-2025-c546fd3f09

Alternative method:

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sudo dnf update qt6-qtspeech

Verification Steps

After updating, confirm the installed version:

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rpm -q qt6-qtspeech

Expected output:

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qt6-qtspeech-6.9.1-1.fc42

Additional Security References

• Bug #2369872 – CVE-2025-5455 details.

• Bug #2371133 – CVE-2025-5683 details.

FAQ: Fedora 42 Qt6-QtSpeech Update

1. Is this update mandatory?

✅ Yes. Unpatched systems are vulnerable to DoS attacks.

2. Does this affect Qt5 applications?

❌ No. Only Qt6-based apps using QtSpeech.

3. How does this impact accessibility tools?

⚠️ Critical. Unpatched systems may experience TTS failures.