CVE-2026-12259

Improper Input Validation in nltk/nltk

Published Aug 3, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 6.5 Medium EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
In nltk version 3.9.4, the `nltk.downloader.Downloader._download_package()` function writes downloaded package bytes to disk and may extract them before enforcing SHA-256 or MD5 checksum validation. This allows an attacker to tamper with the package response body for `info.url` through a compromised mirror, malicious proxy, or other source-substitution condition, leading to the installation of attacker-controlled package bytes. The vulnerability can result in malicious corpus or model content being trusted by downstream users or applications.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
Github GHSA Github GHSA GHSA-5wp5-5229-5g6q NLTK: Missing Post-Download Integrity Verification Allows Malicious Package Injection
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Nltk nltk
CPEs cpe:2.3:a:nltk:nltk:3.9.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Vendors & Products Nltk nltk
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 5.3, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N'}

cvssV3_1

{'score': 6.5, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-354
References
Metrics threat_severity

None

cvssV3_1

{'score': 5.3, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N'}

threat_severity

Moderate

Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'partial'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Nltk
Nltk nltk/nltk
Vendors & Products Nltk
Nltk nltk/nltk
Type Values Removed Values Added
Description In nltk version 3.9.4, the `nltk.downloader.Downloader._download_package()` function writes downloaded package bytes to disk and may extract them before enforcing SHA-256 or MD5 checksum validation. This allows an attacker to tamper with the package response body for `info.url` through a compromised mirror, malicious proxy, or other source-substitution condition, leading to the installation of attacker-controlled package bytes. The vulnerability can result in malicious corpus or model content being trusted by downstream users or applications.
Title Improper Input Validation in nltk/nltk
Weaknesses CWE-494
References
Metrics cvssV3_0

{'score': 5.3, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N'}

Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
@huntr_ai
Published
Updated
Aug 3, 2026, 2:59 PM
Reserved
Jun 15, 2026, 9:55 AM
Status
Analyzed
Published
Aug 3, 2026, 8:17 AM
Modified
Oct 23, 2026, 10:10 PM
Severity
Moderate
Public date
Aug 3, 2026, 7:09 AM