GHSA-H8WQ-7XC4-P3QX

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-03-09 21:31 – Updated: 2026-06-08 18:36
VLAI
Summary
NLTK has Arbitrary File Read via Absolute Path Input in nltk.util.filestring()
Details

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.

Severity
8.6 (High)
CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:L/A:L
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{
  "affected": [
    {
      "package": {
        "ecosystem": "PyPI",
        "name": "nltk"
      },
      "ranges": [
        {
          "events": [
            {
              "introduced": "0"
            },
            {
              "fixed": "3.9.3"
            }
          ],
          "type": "ECOSYSTEM"
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2026-0846"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-36"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": true,
    "github_reviewed_at": "2026-04-18T01:14:15Z",
    "nvd_published_at": "2026-03-09T20:16:05Z",
    "severity": "HIGH"
  },
  "details": "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.",
  "id": "GHSA-h8wq-7xc4-p3qx",
  "modified": "2026-06-08T18:36:48Z",
  "published": "2026-03-09T21:31:38Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-0846"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/nltk/nltk/pull/3485"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/nltk/nltk/commit/b2e1164bf89277f79b65406c829b99fb20ca1974"
    },
    {
      "type": "PACKAGE",
      "url": "https://github.com/nltk/nltk"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/nltk/PYSEC-2026-97.yaml"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://huntr.com/bounties/007b84f8-418e-4300-99d0-bf504c2f97eb"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:L/A:L",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ],
  "summary": "NLTK has Arbitrary File Read via Absolute Path Input in nltk.util.filestring()"
}



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Forecast uses a logistic model when the trend is rising, or an exponential decay model when the trend is falling. Fitted via linearized least squares.

Sightings

Author Source Type Date Other

Nomenclature

  • Seen: The vulnerability was mentioned, discussed, or observed by the user.
  • Confirmed: The vulnerability has been validated from an analyst's perspective.
  • Published Proof of Concept: A public proof of concept is available for this vulnerability.
  • Exploited: The vulnerability was observed as exploited by the user who reported the sighting.
  • Patched: The vulnerability was observed as successfully patched by the user who reported the sighting.
  • Not exploited: The vulnerability was not observed as exploited by the user who reported the sighting.
  • Not confirmed: The user expressed doubt about the validity of the vulnerability.
  • Not patched: The vulnerability was not observed as successfully patched by the user who reported the sighting.


Detection rules are retrieved from Rulezet.