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.
A vulnerability (CWE-36) exists in nltk. Attackers reach the vulnerable code path via nltk.util without authentication.
Check the vendor advisory for the affected versions of nltk. Attack surface: nltk.util.
Severity: High (CVSS 7.5/10). Confidential information can be exposed externally.
Update to 3.9.3.
Until the patch is applied: disable the affected feature, apply WAF rules, or restrict access via network ACLs.
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
-
1Identify 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。 -
2Apply 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。
-
3Post-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
Fix status by distribution
Fixed packages published by each distribution for this CVE
- Debian DEBIAN-CVE-2026-0846 nltk
- Ubuntu UBUNTU-CVE-2026-0846 nltk Fixed in: 2.0~b9-0ubuntu4.1~esm6
References
- advisory nvd.nist.gov
- advisory github.com
- exploit huntr.com
- package github.com
- web github.com
- web github.com
- web github.com
- web access.redhat.com
- web access.redhat.com
- web access.redhat.com
- web bugzilla.redhat.com
- web security.access.redhat.com