CVE-2026-33231

NLTK has unauthenticated remote shutdown in nltk.app.wordnet_app

Published Mar 20, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 7.5 High EPSS 1.3% KEV · Not listed
Description
NLTK (Natural Language Toolkit) is a suite of open source Python modules, data sets, and tutorials supporting research and development in Natural Language Processing. In versions 3.9.3 and prior, `nltk.app.wordnet_app` allows unauthenticated remote shutdown of the local WordNet Browser HTTP server when it is started in its default mode. A simple `GET /SHUTDOWN%20THE%20SERVER` request causes the process to terminate immediately via `os._exit(0)`, resulting in a denial of service. Commit bbaae83db86a0f49e00f5b0db44a7254c268de9b patches the issue.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
Github GHSA Github GHSA GHSA-jm6w-m3j8-898g Unauthenticated remote shutdown in nltk.app.wordnet_app
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8302-1 NLTK vulnerabilities
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

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

Type Values Removed Values Added
CPEs cpe:2.3:a:nltk:nltk:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Nltk
Nltk nltk
Vendors & Products Nltk
Nltk nltk
Type Values Removed Values Added
Description NLTK (Natural Language Toolkit) is a suite of open source Python modules, data sets, and tutorials supporting research and development in Natural Language Processing. In versions 3.9.3 and prior, `nltk.app.wordnet_app` allows unauthenticated remote shutdown of the local WordNet Browser HTTP server when it is started in its default mode. A simple `GET /SHUTDOWN%20THE%20SERVER` request causes the process to terminate immediately via `os._exit(0)`, resulting in a denial of service. Commit bbaae83db86a0f49e00f5b0db44a7254c268de9b patches the issue.
Title NLTK has unauthenticated remote shutdown in nltk.app.wordnet_app
Weaknesses CWE-306
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 7.5, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H'}

Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
GitHub_M
Published
Updated
Sep 9, 2026, 12:04 PM
Reserved
Mar 18, 2026, 2:42 AM
Status
Modified
Published
Mar 20, 2026, 11:16 PM
Modified
Sep 9, 2026, 1:19 PM
Severity
Important
Public date
Mar 20, 2026, 10:45 PM