CVE-2025-14009

Zip Slip Vulnerability in nltk/nltk Leading to Remote Code Execution

Published Feb 18, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 8.8 High EPSS 1.0% KEV · Not listed
Description
A critical vulnerability exists in the NLTK downloader component of nltk/nltk, affecting all versions. The _unzip_iter function in nltk/downloader.py uses zipfile.extractall() without performing path validation or security checks. This allows attackers to craft malicious zip packages that, when downloaded and extracted by NLTK, can execute arbitrary code. The vulnerability arises because NLTK assumes all downloaded packages are trusted and extracts them without validation. If a malicious package contains Python files, such as __init__.py, these files are executed automatically upon import, leading to remote code execution. This issue can result in full system compromise, including file system access, network access, and potential persistence mechanisms.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
Github GHSA Github GHSA GHSA-7p94-766c-hgjp NLTK has a Zip Slip Vulnerability
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8214-1 NLTK vulnerability
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
CPEs cpe:2.3:a:nltk:nltk:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Type Values Removed Values Added
References
Metrics threat_severity

None

cvssV3_1

{'score': 8.8, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'}

threat_severity

Important

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Nltk
Nltk nltk
Vendors & Products Nltk
Nltk nltk
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'yes', 'Exploitation': 'poc', 'Technical Impact': 'total'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description A critical vulnerability exists in the NLTK downloader component of nltk/nltk, affecting all versions. The _unzip_iter function in nltk/downloader.py uses zipfile.extractall() without performing path validation or security checks. This allows attackers to craft malicious zip packages that, when downloaded and extracted by NLTK, can execute arbitrary code. The vulnerability arises because NLTK assumes all downloaded packages are trusted and extracts them without validation. If a malicious package contains Python files, such as __init__.py, these files are executed automatically upon import, leading to remote code execution. This issue can result in full system compromise, including file system access, network access, and potential persistence mechanisms.
Title Zip Slip Vulnerability in nltk/nltk Leading to Remote Code Execution
Weaknesses CWE-94
References
Metrics cvssV3_0

{'score': 10, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H'}

Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
@huntr_ai
Published
Updated
Jul 15, 2026, 1:27 AM
Reserved
Dec 4, 2025, 9:27 AM
Status
Modified
Published
Feb 18, 2026, 6:24 PM
Modified
Jul 15, 2026, 2:17 AM
Severity
Important
Public date
Feb 18, 2026, 5:45 PM