Categories
CVE-2026-79675 critical CVSS 9.8

Vulnerability in nltk (CVE-2026-79675)

Summary

Vulnerability in nltk (CVE-2026-79675). Successful exploitation can lead to full system takeover. Exploitable via options. Mitigation: upgrade to 3.10.3 or later.

Original description

The description as published by the source.

NLTK before 3.10.3 fails to validate JVM options passed through the per-call options parameter in the java() function, allowing attackers to inject dangerous JVM flags. Attackers can supply malicious options like -agentpath, -javaagent, or @argfile to Stanford wrapper classes to achieve arbitrary code execution.

Source: GitHub Security Advisories (Global) NVD GitHub Advisory

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-2026-79675 has been found in nltk.
Attackers can target a specific entry point like options over the network to misuse the product.
Successful exploitation can lead to full system takeover. CVSS score: 9.8/10.
What to do: upgrade nltk to 3.10.3 or later.
If unsure, ask your IT team or search "nltk CVE-2026-79675" on the vendor's site.

CVE-2026-79675 (nltk) — CWE-88 / CVSS v3 9.8
Attack vector: remote (network-reachable) / unauthenticated / no user interaction
Attack surface: options / subprocess.Popen / java_options / GenericStanfordParser
Patched: 3.10.3 — 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-88) exists in nltk. Attackers reach the vulnerable code path via options without authentication.

📍 Affected scope

Check the vendor advisory for the affected versions of nltk. Attack surface: options / subprocess.Popen / java_options / GenericStanfordParser.

🔥 Severity

Severity: Critical (CVSS 9.8/10). Successful exploitation can lead to full system takeover.

🔧 How to fix

Update to 3.10.3.

🛡️ 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 3.10.3

    ステージング環境で 3.10.3 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

pip nltk
[{"type":"ECOSYSTEM","events":[{"introduced":"0"},{"fixed":"3.10.3"}]}]
PyPI nltk
[{"type":"ECOSYSTEM","events":[{"introduced":"0"},{"fixed":"3.10.3"}]}]

Fix status by distribution

Fixed packages published by each distribution for this CVE

References

We use cookies for analytics and ad measurement. This setting applies to all Game co., Ltd. sites. Details