Categories
CVE-2026-0846 high CVSS 7.5

Vulnerability in nltk (CVE-2026-0846)

Summary

Vulnerability in nltk (CVE-2026-0846). Confidential information can be exposed externally. Exploitable via nltk.util. Mitigation: upgrade to 3.9.3 or later.

Original description

The description as published by the source.

A vulnerability in the filestring() function of the nltk.util module in nltk version 3.9.2 allows arbitrary file read due to improper validation of input paths. The function directly opens files specified by user input without sanitization, enabling attackers to access sensitive system files by providing absolute paths or traversal paths. This vulnerability can be exploited locally or remotely, particularly in scenarios where the function is used in web APIs or other interfaces that accept user-supplied input.

Source: OSV.dev (Open Source Vulnerabilities) NVD GitHub Advisory OSV

Auto-generated summary

Assembled by SecPulse from the source data (CVSS, CWE, affected versions) using templates — no AI involved. Check the original description and references below for exact details.

A vulnerability tracked as CVE-2026-0846 has been found in nltk.
Attackers can target a specific entry point like nltk.util over the network to misuse the product.
Confidential information can be exposed externally. CVSS score: 7.5/10.
What to do: upgrade nltk to 3.9.3 or later.
If unsure, ask your IT team or search "nltk CVE-2026-0846" on the vendor's site.

CVE-2026-0846 (nltk) — CWE-36 / CVSS v3 7.5
Attack vector: remote (network-reachable) / unauthenticated / no user interaction
Attack surface: nltk.util
Patched: 3.9.3 — apply immediately
Plan: 1) Audit SBOM/dependencies, 2) Stage→prod upgrade, 3) Add WAF/proxy monitoring on affected endpoints, 4) Hunt IOCs in logs.
Refs: see the GHSA / vendor advisory / patched release linked on this page.

❓ What is the problem

A vulnerability (CWE-36) exists in nltk. Attackers reach the vulnerable code path via nltk.util without authentication.

📍 Affected scope

Check the vendor advisory for the affected versions of nltk. Attack surface: nltk.util.

🔥 Severity

Severity: High (CVSS 7.5/10). Confidential information can be exposed externally.

🔧 How to fix

Update to 3.9.3.

🛡️ Workaround

Until the patch is applied: disable the affected feature, apply WAF rules, or restrict access via network ACLs.

🔍 Detection

Search webserver/proxy logs for unusual request patterns matching this CVE's known IOCs. Run grep -r 'nltk' . against your dependency files (package-lock.json, requirements.txt, go.sum) to find affected services.

Response actions

Concrete steps and command examples for SOC/SRE teams to execute in order

  1. 1
    Identify exposure identify
    grep -r 'nltk' . | grep -v node_modules

    リポジトリと本番環境の依存ファイル (package-lock.json / requirements.txt / go.sum / Gemfile.lock 等) で nltk を grep し、稼働しているサービス・バージョンを把握する。

  2. 2
    Apply patch patch
    Upgrade nltk to 3.9.3

    ステージング環境で 3.9.3 に上げて回帰テスト → 本番反映。回帰テストはアプリの主要ハッピーパスを含めること。

  3. 3
    Post-deployment verification verify
    Confirm patched version is live in production

    パッチ適用後、ステージングで PoC または同等の悪用パターンを再現して脆弱性が閉じたことを確認。本番ではアクセスログ・WAF でアラート再発が無いか継続監視。

Affected packages

PyPI nltk
[{"type":"ECOSYSTEM","events":[{"introduced":"0"},{"last_affected":"3.9.2"}]}]
pip nltk
[{"type":"ECOSYSTEM","events":[{"introduced":"0"},{"fixed":"3.9.3"}]}]

Fix status by distribution

Fixed packages published by each distribution for this CVE

References

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