CVE-2026-0846
Arbitrary File Read via Absolute Path Input in nltk.util.filestring()
Description
A vulnerability in the `filestring()` function of the `nltk.util` module in nltk version 3.9.2 allows arbitrary file read due to improper validation of input paths. The function directly opens files specified by user input without sanitization, enabling attackers to access sensitive system files by providing absolute paths or traversal paths. This vulnerability can be exploited locally or remotely, particularly in scenarios where the function is used in web APIs or other interfaces that accept user-supplied input.
INFO
Published Date :
March 9, 2026, 8:16 p.m.
Last Modified :
June 30, 2026, 3:17 a.m.
Remotely Exploit :
Yes !
Source :
[email protected]
CVSS Scores
| Score | Version | Severity | Vector | Exploitability Score | Impact Score | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS | 134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0 | |||||
| CVSS 3.0 | HIGH | [email protected] | ||||
| CVSS 3.0 | HIGH | MITRE-CVE | ||||
| CVSS 3.1 | HIGH | [email protected] | ||||
| CVSS 3.1 | HIGH | 0b0ca135-0b70-47e7-9f44-1890c2a1c46c |
Solution
- Update nltk to a version that fixes the path validation issue.
- Sanitize all user-supplied input paths before passing them to filestring.
- Restrict access to sensitive files.
Public PoC/Exploit Available at Github
CVE-2026-0846 has a 1 public
PoC/Exploit available at Github.
Go to the Public Exploits tab to see the list.
References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools
Here, you will find a curated list of external links that provide in-depth
information, practical solutions, and valuable tools related to
CVE-2026-0846.
CWE - Common Weakness Enumeration
While CVE identifies
specific instances of vulnerabilities, CWE categorizes the common flaws or
weaknesses that can lead to vulnerabilities. CVE-2026-0846 is
associated with the following CWEs:
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC)
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification
(CAPEC)
stores attack patterns, which are descriptions of the common attributes and
approaches employed by adversaries to exploit the CVE-2026-0846
weaknesses.
We scan GitHub repositories to detect new proof-of-concept exploits. Following list is a collection of public exploits and proof-of-concepts, which have been published on GitHub (sorted by the most recently updated).
MCP Security Vulnerability Scanner & Enterprise Dashboard - Addresses critical security crisis affecting 200,000+ MCP servers
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Results are limited to the first 15 repositories due to potential performance issues.
The following list is the news that have been mention
CVE-2026-0846 vulnerability anywhere in the article.
The following table lists the changes that have been made to the
CVE-2026-0846 vulnerability over time.
Vulnerability history details can be useful for understanding the evolution of a vulnerability, and for identifying the most recent changes that may impact the vulnerability's severity, exploitability, or other characteristics.
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CVE Modified by 0b0ca135-0b70-47e7-9f44-1890c2a1c46c
Jun. 30, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Affected [{'cpes': ['cpe:/a:redhat:openshift_ai:2.25::el9'], 'vendor': 'Red Hat', 'product': 'Red Hat OpenShift AI 2.25', 'defaultStatus': 'affected'}, {'cpes': ['cpe:/a:redhat:openshift_ai:3.3::el9'], 'vendor': 'Red Hat', 'product': 'Red Hat OpenShift AI 3.3', 'defaultStatus': 'affected'}, {'cpes': ['cpe:/a:redhat:lightspeed_core'], 'vendor': 'Red Hat', 'product': 'Lightspeed Core', 'defaultStatus': 'affected'}, {'cpes': ['cpe:/a:redhat:openshift_lightspeed'], 'vendor': 'Red Hat', 'product': 'OpenShift Lightspeed', 'defaultStatus': 'affected'}, {'cpes': ['cpe:/a:redhat:ansible_automation_platform:2'], 'vendor': 'Red Hat', 'product': 'Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2', 'defaultStatus': 'affected'}, {'cpes': ['cpe:/a:redhat:openshift_ai'], 'vendor': 'Red Hat', 'product': 'Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI)', 'defaultStatus': 'affected'}] Added CVSS V3.1 AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N Added CWE CWE-22 Added Reference https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:10184 Added Reference https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:19712 Added Reference https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-0846 Added Reference https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2445826 Added Reference https://security.access.redhat.com/data/csaf/v2/vex/2026/cve-2026-0846.json -
CVE Modified by [email protected]
Jun. 17, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Affected [{'vendor': 'nltk', 'product': 'nltk/nltk', 'versions': [{'status': 'affected', 'version': 'unspecified', 'versionType': 'custom', 'lessThanOrEqual': 'latest'}]}] -
CVE Modified by 134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0
Jun. 17, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added SSVC {'id': 'CVE-2026-0846', 'role': 'CISA Coordinator', 'options': [{'exploitation': 'poc'}, {'automatable': 'yes'}, {'technicalImpact': 'partial'}], 'version': '2.0.3', 'timestamp': '2026-03-12T14:48:03.077006Z'} -
Initial Analysis by [email protected]
Apr. 17, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added CVSS V3.1 AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N Added CPE Configuration OR *cpe:2.3:a:nltk:nltk:3.9.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Added Reference Type CISA-ADP: https://huntr.com/bounties/007b84f8-418e-4300-99d0-bf504c2f97eb Types: Exploit, Vendor Advisory Added Reference Type huntr.dev: https://huntr.com/bounties/007b84f8-418e-4300-99d0-bf504c2f97eb Types: Exploit, Vendor Advisory -
CVE Modified by 134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0
Mar. 12, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Reference https://huntr.com/bounties/007b84f8-418e-4300-99d0-bf504c2f97eb -
New CVE Received by [email protected]
Mar. 09, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Description A vulnerability in the `filestring()` function of the `nltk.util` module in nltk version 3.9.2 allows arbitrary file read due to improper validation of input paths. The function directly opens files specified by user input without sanitization, enabling attackers to access sensitive system files by providing absolute paths or traversal paths. This vulnerability can be exploited locally or remotely, particularly in scenarios where the function is used in web APIs or other interfaces that accept user-supplied input. Added CVSS V3 AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:L/A:L Added CWE CWE-36 Added Reference https://huntr.com/bounties/007b84f8-418e-4300-99d0-bf504c2f97eb