CVE-2026-79674
NLTK 3.10.2 Path Traversal via corpus-reader constructors
Description
NLTK versions before 3.10.3 contain a path sandbox bypass vulnerability in corpus-reader constructors that allows attackers to read files outside the intended data root. Attackers can supply arbitrary corpus root paths to LinThesaurusCorpusReader and PanLexLiteCorpusReader constructors to access filesystem content and SQLite databases outside the pathsec sandbox boundary.
INFO
Published Date :
Aug. 25, 2026, 4:17 p.m.
Last Modified :
Aug. 31, 2026, 7:06 p.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 3.1 | HIGH | 83251b91-4cc7-4094-a5c7-464a1b83ea10 | ||||
| CVSS 3.1 | HIGH | [email protected] | ||||
| CVSS 3.1 | HIGH | MITRE-CVE | ||||
| CVSS 4.0 | HIGH | 83251b91-4cc7-4094-a5c7-464a1b83ea10 | ||||
| CVSS 4.0 | HIGH | [email protected] |
Solution
- Update NLTK to version 3.10.3 or later.
- Verify corpus reader constructor usage.
- Restrict access to sensitive files.
- Monitor for suspicious file access.
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-2026-79674.
| URL | Resource |
|---|---|
| https://github.com/nltk/nltk/security/advisories/GHSA-3gq4-3j92-5w49 | Exploit Vendor Advisory |
| https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/nltk-path-traversal-via-corpus-reader-constructors | Third Party Advisory |
| https://github.com/nltk/nltk/security/advisories/GHSA-3gq4-3j92-5w49 | Exploit Vendor Advisory |
CWE - Common Weakness Enumeration
While CVE identifies
specific instances of vulnerabilities, CWE categorizes the common flaws or
weaknesses that can lead to vulnerabilities. CVE-2026-79674 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-2026-79674
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).
Results are limited to the first 15 repositories due to potential performance issues.
The following list is the news that have been mention
CVE-2026-79674 vulnerability anywhere in the article.
The following table lists the changes that have been made to the
CVE-2026-79674 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.
-
Initial Analysis by [email protected]
Aug. 31, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added CPE Configuration OR *cpe:2.3:a:nltk:nltk:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions up to (excluding) 3.10.3 Added Reference Type VulnCheck: https://github.com/nltk/nltk/security/advisories/GHSA-3gq4-3j92-5w49 Types: Exploit, Vendor Advisory Added Reference Type VulnCheck: https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/nltk-path-traversal-via-corpus-reader-constructors Types: Third Party Advisory Added Reference Type CISA-ADP: https://github.com/nltk/nltk/security/advisories/GHSA-3gq4-3j92-5w49 Types: Exploit, Vendor Advisory -
CVE Modified by 134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0
Aug. 25, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Reference https://github.com/nltk/nltk/security/advisories/GHSA-3gq4-3j92-5w49 Added SSVC {'id': 'CVE-2026-79674', 'role': 'CISA Coordinator', 'options': [{'exploitation': 'poc'}, {'automatable': 'yes'}, {'technicalImpact': 'partial'}], 'version': '2.0.3', 'timestamp': '2026-08-25T17:42:50.760273Z'} -
New CVE Received by [email protected]
Aug. 25, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Affected [{'vendor': 'nltk', 'product': 'nltk', 'versions': [{'status': 'affected', 'version': '0', 'lessThan': '3.10.3', 'versionType': 'semver'}, {'status': 'unaffected', 'version': '3.10.3', 'versionType': 'semver'}], 'packageURL': 'pkg:pypi/nltk', 'defaultStatus': 'unaffected'}] Added Description NLTK versions before 3.10.3 contain a path sandbox bypass vulnerability in corpus-reader constructors that allows attackers to read files outside the intended data root. Attackers can supply arbitrary corpus root paths to LinThesaurusCorpusReader and PanLexLiteCorpusReader constructors to access filesystem content and SQLite databases outside the pathsec sandbox boundary. Added CVSS V4.0 AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:L/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X Added CVSS V3.1 AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:L/A:N Added CWE CWE-73 Added Reference https://github.com/nltk/nltk/security/advisories/GHSA-3gq4-3j92-5w49 Added Reference https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/nltk-path-traversal-via-corpus-reader-constructors