CVE-2026-0847

Path Traversal in nltk/nltk

Published Mar 4, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 7.5 High EPSS 1.0% KEV · Not listed
Description
A vulnerability in NLTK versions up to and including 3.9.2 allows arbitrary file read via path traversal in multiple CorpusReader classes, including WordListCorpusReader, TaggedCorpusReader, and BracketParseCorpusReader. These classes fail to properly sanitize or validate file paths, enabling attackers to traverse directories and access sensitive files on the server. This issue is particularly critical in scenarios where user-controlled file inputs are processed, such as in machine learning APIs, chatbots, or NLP pipelines. Exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive files, including system files, SSH private keys, and API tokens, and may potentially escalate to remote code execution when combined with other vulnerabilities.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
Github GHSA Github GHSA GHSA-68j8-pq59-fqgm NLTK has a Path Traversal issue
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8302-1 NLTK vulnerabilities
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': 7.5, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N'}

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': 'partial'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description A vulnerability in NLTK versions up to and including 3.9.2 allows arbitrary file read via path traversal in multiple CorpusReader classes, including WordListCorpusReader, TaggedCorpusReader, and BracketParseCorpusReader. These classes fail to properly sanitize or validate file paths, enabling attackers to traverse directories and access sensitive files on the server. This issue is particularly critical in scenarios where user-controlled file inputs are processed, such as in machine learning APIs, chatbots, or NLP pipelines. Exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive files, including system files, SSH private keys, and API tokens, and may potentially escalate to remote code execution when combined with other vulnerabilities.
Title Path Traversal in nltk/nltk
Weaknesses CWE-22
References
Metrics cvssV3_0

{'score': 8.6, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:L/A:L'}

Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
@huntr_ai
Published
Updated
Sep 16, 2026, 12:04 PM
Reserved
Jan 10, 2026, 11:57 PM
Status
Modified
Published
Mar 4, 2026, 7:16 PM
Modified
Jul 15, 2026, 2:17 AM
Severity
Important
Public date
Mar 4, 2026, 6:25 PM