CVE-2026-0846
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.
Does this matter?
High impact if exploited, but EPSS currently rates exploitation as unlikely (0.43%). Schedule it in the normal patch cycle and watch for a rise in EPSS or a public exploit.
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.
- CVSS 3.1
- 7.5 HIGHCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
- EPSS
- 0.43% probability · 36th percentile
- CISA KEV
- Not listed
- Weakness
- CWE-36, CWE-22
- Affected
- nltk/nltk
- Source
- security@huntr.dev
References
- https://huntr.com/bounties/007b84f8-418e-4300-99d0-bf504c2f97ebExploit, Vendor Advisory
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:10184
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:19712
- https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-0846
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2445826
- https://huntr.com/bounties/007b84f8-418e-4300-99d0-bf504c2f97ebExploit, Vendor Advisory
- https://security.access.redhat.com/data/csaf/v2/vex/2026/cve-2026-0846.json
Source: NVD record, EPSS from FIRST.org, KEV from CISA. Refreshed daily.