NLTK 3.10.2 Path Traversal via corpus-reader constructors
nltk · nltk
Official source article: GitHub GHSA-3GQ4-3J92-5W49 ↗. Check the applicable product and release in the original source.
8.8HighCVSS 4.0
Recommended action
Patch only the product branches with a verified fix
High technical severity with public exploit material referenced by a structured source; prioritise exposed affected systems while verifying vendor guidance. Verified remediation exists for at least one product or source, but 2 structured product or package states remain unresolved. Apply remediation only to the exact product branch confirmed by its source.
Published severityHigh→Operational priority:Critical, raised one band.upgradedsince 25 Aug 2026
Evidence used
No CISA KEV confirmation is currently recorded.
A structured source references public exploit or proof-of-concept material.
The selected CVSS metric records a network-reachable, unauthenticated path with no user interaction.
EPSS is 0.39% for the current model date.
Compensating controls
Validate the affected product branch and deploy the verified fixed release.
Restrict the affected network interface to trusted sources where business-safe.
Increase monitoring for the attack path and post-exploitation behaviour described in the report.
Verification
Confirm that the asset runs nltk nltk and falls inside the recorded affected range.
Verify the installed build against the product-specific fixed version after deployment.
Validate exposure, authentication requirements and compensating controls in the actual environment.
Reopen this reassessment when CVSS, KEV, EPSS, exploit evidence or remediation changes.
Cross-source reconciliation
Remediation availability differs by product scope
Verified remediation exists for at least one product or source, but 2 structured product or package states remain unresolved. Apply remediation only to the exact product branch confirmed by its source.
Debian Security Tracker: 2 affected package states with no published fix
Distribution package intelligence
Release-specific package status
Debian, ubuntu findings are scoped to the named distribution, release and source package. An absent finding does not mean a package is unaffected.
5 package states
Package result overrides the generic status
BlackTree has verified remediation for at least one product or source, but the relevant distribution still reports no fixed package for 2 affected package states shown here. Treat those rows as affected with no fix until that distribution publishes a fixed version.
Repository candidate not checked
A published vendor fix does not prove that a matching update is enabled and installable on a particular asset. Confirm the local package candidate before scheduling remediation.
Distribution release
Source package
Vendor state
Fixed version
Evidence
Debian trixietrixie · source
nltk
Affected, no fix publishedDebian currently tracks this release as open.
Open-source package ranges1 source-attributed range
These OSV and GitHub advisory ranges apply only to the named package and ecosystem. A listed fixed version is not a universal product patch or proof that an update is installed.
Structured product status and remediation from the issuing vendor. Product-state explanations are always visible; large lists can be searched or downloaded.
1 current
CVE-2026-79674 · CSAF 2.0 · revision 3 · finalRed Hat Product Securitynltk: NLTK: Information disclosure via path traversal in corpus-reader constructors
11 known affected
The vendor explicitly identifies these products as affected by this CVE.
exploit-intelligence-tech-preview/vulnerability-analysis-rhel9 as a component of Exploit Intelligence
lightspeed-core/lightspeed-stack-rhel9 as a component of Lightspeed Core
lightspeed-core/rag-tool-cpu-rhel9 as a component of Lightspeed Core
lightspeed-core/rag-tool-cuda-12.9-rhel9 as a component of Lightspeed Core
openshift-lightspeed/lightspeed-service-api-rhel9 as a component of OpenShift Lightspeed
ansible-automation-platform-25/lightspeed-chatbot-rhel8 as a component of Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2
rhoai/odh-ogx-core-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI)
rhoai/odh-pipeline-runtime-pytorch-llmcompressor-cuda-py312-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI)
rhoai/odh-trustyai-garak-lls-provider-dsp-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI)
rhoai/odh-trustyai-nemo-guardrails-server-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI)
rhoai/odh-workbench-jupyter-pytorch-llmcompressor-cuda-py312-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI)
Summary
A flaw was found in NLTK. A path traversal vulnerability in corpus-reader constructors allows a remote attacker to bypass the intended data root sandbox. By supplying arbitrary corpus root paths to LinThesaurusCorpusReader and PanLexLiteCorpusReader constructors, an attacker can read files and access SQLite databases outside the security boundary, leading to information disclosure.
Remediation
For Red Hat OpenShift AI 3.3.7 see the following documentation, which will be updated shortly for this release, for important instructions on how to upgrade your cluster and fully apply this errata update: https://docs.redhat.com/en/documentation/red_hat_openshift_ai/
Optional official sources
National CERT insights ?CERT means Computer Emergency Response Team; CSIRT is the closely related term Computer Security Incident Response Team.
Choose official national sources for this report. Each advisory shows its original language. Your selection is remembered on this device and included in shared links.
Official European source
ENISA European Vulnerability Database
Official EUVD identifiers, advisory evidence and known-exploited context. Missing fields are not treated as evidence of low risk.
1 current
ENISA EUVD identifier
EUVD-2026-65524
No EUVD known-exploited evidence
NLTK: Corpus Reader Sandbox Bypass
EUVD state
Present in the current official mapping
Known exploitation
Not present in the current ENISA EUVD known-exploited dataset. This is not proof of no exploitation.
ENISA score
8.8 · CVSS 4.0
Advisory evidence
No linked advisory details stored yet
Recommended actionPatch only the product branches with a verified fix
High technical severity with public exploit material referenced by a structured source; prioritise exposed affected systems while verifying vendor guidance. Verified remediation exists for at least one product or source, but 2 structured product or package states remain unresolved. Apply remediation only to the exact product branch confirmed by its source.
Fix availability varies by product
01
What, why and how
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.
What
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.
Why
The product allows user input to control or influence paths or file names that are used in filesystem operations.
How
An attacker operating through a network path may attempt exploitation without authentication or user interaction. If successful, the issue may cause the confidentiality, integrity or availability impact described by the vendor.
What
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.
Why
The product allows user input to control or influence paths or file names that are used in filesystem operations.
How
An attacker operating through a network path may attempt exploitation without authentication or user interaction. If successful, the issue may cause the confidentiality, integrity or availability impact described by the vendor.
02
Exploit reality and attack path
CVSS severity, EPSS forecast probability, public exploit material and CISA-confirmed exploitation are separate signals.
Observed exploitation ?Confirmed exploitation and public exploit material are separate signals. Attacks can occur without public proof-of-concept or exploit code.No confirmed evidence
No CISA KEV match was present at the last successful refresh. This means no confirmation from that source, not proof of no exploitation.
Public PoC / exploit material ?Confirmed exploitation and public exploit material are separate signals. Attacks can occur without public proof-of-concept or exploit code.Reference recorded
CISA Vulnrichment records proof-of-concept exploitation in its SSVC data. BlackTree has not independently executed or validated exploit material.
Likely attack path
a network path → External Control of File Name or Path → cause the confidentiality, integrity or availability impact described by the vendor
Attack surface
Network
Privileges required
None: unauthenticated exploitation is possible
User interaction
None
Attack complexity
Low: no specialised conditions are recorded
Security boundary
Not a CVSS 4.0 base metric
Weakness ?CWE means Common Weakness Enumeration: a standard category for the underlying weakness.
CWE-73: External Control of File Name or Path. The product allows user input to control or influence paths or file names that are used in filesystem operations.
CVSS vector ?CVSS means Common Vulnerability Scoring System. The vector records the metric values used to calculate technical severity.
Common Vulnerability Scoring System 4.0: the compact vector below is decoded into plain language.
AVNetworkAttack vector: The vulnerable component can be reached over a network.ACLowAttack complexity: No specialised conditions are required beyond attacker-controlled input.ATNoneAttack requirements: No additional deployment or execution condition is required.PRNonePrivileges required: The attacker does not need an account or existing privileges.UINoneUser interaction: No action by another user is required.VCHighVulnerable-system confidentiality: A successful attack can cause a major loss.VILowVulnerable-system integrity: A successful attack can cause a limited loss.VANoneVulnerable-system availability: No direct loss is represented by this metric.SCNoneSubsequent-system confidentiality: No direct loss is represented by this metric.SINoneSubsequent-system integrity: No direct loss is represented by this metric.SANoneSubsequent-system availability: No direct loss is represented by this metric.
Post-exploitation / living off the land
No specific living-off-the-land technique is confirmed in the structured sources. Monitor normal administration tools for activity inconsistent with the affected service's baseline.
Operational remediation based on structured source evidence.
Status ?Patch availability is based on structured fixed-version fields and authoritative update references. If no fix is verified, check the vendor advisory before making a change.
Use the product-specific evidence above. Patch only products with a verified fixed release, and keep every affected or under-investigation state without a matching fix in the remediation queue.
Workaround
No verified workaround is recorded. If business-safe, reduce exposure to the affected interface and allow only trusted sources until authoritative guidance is available.
04
Evidence and provenance
Published 25 Aug 2026 · Last source change 25 Aug 2026, 17:42 UTC · CWE-73 · External Control of File Name or Path
CVE recordCVE.org · 5.2
CVSS sourceCNA
EPSS source ?The date BlackTree first stored a score for this CVE from the daily FIRST EPSS feed.FIRST · tracked since 2026-08-26
European sourceENISA EUVD · EUVD-2026-65524
Product sourceVendor CSAF · Red Hat Product Security
Remediation sourceVendor CSAF · Red Hat Product Security
CWE sourceCNA
NVD statusNVD awaiting enrichment
Core structured fields are present and their contributing authorities are shown above.
Affected versionsThe structured affected or fixed version information changed.
Before
exploit-intelligence-tech-preview/vulnerability-analysis-rhel9 as a component of Exploit Intelligence; lightspeed-core/lightspeed-stack-rhel9 as a component of Lightspeed Core; lightspeed-core/rag-tool-cpu-rhel9 as a component of Lightspeed Core; lightspeed-core/rag-tool-cuda-12.9-rhel9 as a component of Lightspeed Core; openshift-lightspeed/lightspeed-service-api-rhel9 as a component of OpenShift Lightspeed; ansible-automation-platform-25/lightspeed-chatbot-rhel8 as a component of Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2; rhoai/odh-llama-stack-core-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI); rhoai/odh-ogx-core-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI); rhoai/odh-pipeline-runtime-pytorch-llmcompressor-cuda-py312-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI); rhoai/odh-trustyai-garak-lls-provider-dsp-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI); rhoai/odh-trustyai-nemo-guardrails-server-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI); rhoai/odh-workbench-jupyter-pytorch-llmcompressor-cuda-py312-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI) · Fixed: registry.redhat.io/rhoai/odh-ta-lmes-job-rhel9@sha256:066ebdc5645510fe298e97224764f6ddbf8619f9fb7624212f1770ba764dc585_s390x as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI 3.5; registry.redhat.io/rhoai/odh-ta-lmes-job-rhel9@sha256:1135ba3734029e4869e43cabaf28e8a541ce9d2b409e3c55c03611aafa61588b_ppc64le as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI 3.5; registry.redhat.io/rhoai/odh-ta-lmes-job-rhel9@sha256:1ec56d8ea01070706bb477c1dfdd6c6f56d8996e6d19c9074ce5062ec3697c18_amd64 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI 3.5; registry.redhat.io/rhoai/odh-ta-lmes-job-rhel9@sha256:7abedddf92c64a52cffcec69de86ba4ac8e8b6a9824e2e86d56ef67552d3c647_arm64 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI 3.5
After
exploit-intelligence-tech-preview/vulnerability-analysis-rhel9 as a component of Exploit Intelligence; lightspeed-core/lightspeed-stack-rhel9 as a component of Lightspeed Core; lightspeed-core/rag-tool-cpu-rhel9 as a component of Lightspeed Core; lightspeed-core/rag-tool-cuda-12.9-rhel9 as a component of Lightspeed Core; openshift-lightspeed/lightspeed-service-api-rhel9 as a component of OpenShift Lightspeed; ansible-automation-platform-25/lightspeed-chatbot-rhel8 as a component of Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2; rhoai/odh-ogx-core-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI); rhoai/odh-pipeline-runtime-pytorch-llmcompressor-cuda-py312-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI); rhoai/odh-trustyai-garak-lls-provider-dsp-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI); rhoai/odh-trustyai-nemo-guardrails-server-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI); rhoai/odh-workbench-jupyter-pytorch-llmcompressor-cuda-py312-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI) · Fixed: registry.redhat.io/rhoai/odh-llama-stack-core-rhel9@sha256:41ab98e2c288953420078c9b77b8ed2b3dd7c1d2a233fbd8e41a6d89daf67b20_amd64 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI 3.3; registry.redhat.io/rhoai/odh-llama-stack-core-rhel9@sha256:aa99db4b8a3c676a090c388aa1bf04abd1e9bd9f6eaa8b8b2d415ff632095b00_arm64 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI 3.3; registry.redhat.io/rhoai/odh-ta-lmes-job-rhel9@sha256:066ebdc5645510fe298e97224764f6ddbf8619f9fb7624212f1770ba764dc585_s390x as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI 3.5; registry.redhat.io/rhoai/odh-ta-lmes-job-rhel9@sha256:1135ba3734029e4869e43cabaf28e8a541ce9d2b409e3c55c03611aafa61588b_ppc64le as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI 3.5; registry.redhat.io/rhoai/odh-ta-lmes-job-rhel9@sha256:1ec56d8ea01070706bb477c1dfdd6c6f56d8996e6d19c9074ce5062ec3697c18_amd64 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI 3.5; registry.redhat.io/rhoai/odh-ta-lmes-job-rhel9@sha256:7abedddf92c64a52cffcec69de86ba4ac8e8b6a9824e2e86d56ef67552d3c647_arm64 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI 3.5
Affected versionsThe structured affected or fixed version information changed.
Before
exploit-intelligence-tech-preview/vulnerability-analysis-rhel9 as a component of Exploit Intelligence; lightspeed-core/lightspeed-stack-rhel9 as a component of Lightspeed Core; lightspeed-core/rag-tool-cpu-rhel9 as a component of Lightspeed Core; lightspeed-core/rag-tool-cuda-12.9-rhel9 as a component of Lightspeed Core; openshift-lightspeed/lightspeed-service-api-rhel9 as a component of OpenShift Lightspeed; ansible-automation-platform-25/lightspeed-chatbot-rhel8 as a component of Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2; rhoai/odh-llama-stack-core-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI); rhoai/odh-ogx-core-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI); rhoai/odh-pipeline-runtime-pytorch-llmcompressor-cuda-py312-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI); rhoai/odh-ta-lmes-job-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI); rhoai/odh-trustyai-garak-lls-provider-dsp-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI); rhoai/odh-trustyai-nemo-guardrails-server-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI); rhoai/odh-workbench-jupyter-pytorch-llmcompressor-cuda-py312-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI)
After
exploit-intelligence-tech-preview/vulnerability-analysis-rhel9 as a component of Exploit Intelligence; lightspeed-core/lightspeed-stack-rhel9 as a component of Lightspeed Core; lightspeed-core/rag-tool-cpu-rhel9 as a component of Lightspeed Core; lightspeed-core/rag-tool-cuda-12.9-rhel9 as a component of Lightspeed Core; openshift-lightspeed/lightspeed-service-api-rhel9 as a component of OpenShift Lightspeed; ansible-automation-platform-25/lightspeed-chatbot-rhel8 as a component of Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2; rhoai/odh-llama-stack-core-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI); rhoai/odh-ogx-core-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI); rhoai/odh-pipeline-runtime-pytorch-llmcompressor-cuda-py312-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI); rhoai/odh-trustyai-garak-lls-provider-dsp-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI); rhoai/odh-trustyai-nemo-guardrails-server-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI); rhoai/odh-workbench-jupyter-pytorch-llmcompressor-cuda-py312-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI) · Fixed: registry.redhat.io/rhoai/odh-ta-lmes-job-rhel9@sha256:066ebdc5645510fe298e97224764f6ddbf8619f9fb7624212f1770ba764dc585_s390x as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI 3.5; registry.redhat.io/rhoai/odh-ta-lmes-job-rhel9@sha256:1135ba3734029e4869e43cabaf28e8a541ce9d2b409e3c55c03611aafa61588b_ppc64le as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI 3.5; registry.redhat.io/rhoai/odh-ta-lmes-job-rhel9@sha256:1ec56d8ea01070706bb477c1dfdd6c6f56d8996e6d19c9074ce5062ec3697c18_amd64 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI 3.5; registry.redhat.io/rhoai/odh-ta-lmes-job-rhel9@sha256:7abedddf92c64a52cffcec69de86ba4ac8e8b6a9824e2e86d56ef67552d3c647_arm64 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI 3.5
Affected versionsThe structured affected or fixed version information changed.
Before
exploit-intelligence-tech-preview/vulnerability-analysis-rhel9 as a component of Exploit Intelligence; lightspeed-core/lightspeed-stack-rhel9 as a component of Lightspeed Core; lightspeed-core/rag-tool-cpu-rhel9 as a component of Lightspeed Core; lightspeed-core/rag-tool-cuda-12.9-rhel9 as a component of Lightspeed Core; openshift-lightspeed-tech-preview/lightspeed-rag-tool-rhel9 as a component of OpenShift Lightspeed; openshift-lightspeed/lightspeed-ocp-rag-rhel9 as a component of OpenShift Lightspeed; openshift-lightspeed/lightspeed-service-api-rhel9 as a component of OpenShift Lightspeed; ansible-automation-platform-25/lightspeed-chatbot-rhel8 as a component of Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2; rhoai/odh-llama-stack-core-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI); rhoai/odh-ogx-core-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI); rhoai/odh-pipeline-runtime-pytorch-llmcompressor-cuda-py312-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI); rhoai/odh-ta-lmes-job-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI); rhoai/odh-trustyai-garak-lls-provider-dsp-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI); rhoai/odh-trustyai-nemo-guardrails-server-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI); rhoai/odh-workbench-jupyter-pytorch-llmcompressor-cuda-py312-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI)
After
exploit-intelligence-tech-preview/vulnerability-analysis-rhel9 as a component of Exploit Intelligence; lightspeed-core/lightspeed-stack-rhel9 as a component of Lightspeed Core; lightspeed-core/rag-tool-cpu-rhel9 as a component of Lightspeed Core; lightspeed-core/rag-tool-cuda-12.9-rhel9 as a component of Lightspeed Core; openshift-lightspeed/lightspeed-service-api-rhel9 as a component of OpenShift Lightspeed; ansible-automation-platform-25/lightspeed-chatbot-rhel8 as a component of Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2; rhoai/odh-llama-stack-core-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI); rhoai/odh-ogx-core-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI); rhoai/odh-pipeline-runtime-pytorch-llmcompressor-cuda-py312-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI); rhoai/odh-ta-lmes-job-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI); rhoai/odh-trustyai-garak-lls-provider-dsp-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI); rhoai/odh-trustyai-nemo-guardrails-server-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI); rhoai/odh-workbench-jupyter-pytorch-llmcompressor-cuda-py312-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI)
Technical terms and abbreviations used in this report
CVE
Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures: the public identifier for one disclosed vulnerability.
CVSS
Common Vulnerability Scoring System: a technical severity framework; it is not patching priority by itself.
EPSS
Exploit Prediction Scoring System: FIRST's estimate of the probability that exploitation activity will be observed in the next 30 days; it is a forecast, not confirmation.
CWE
Common Weakness Enumeration: the standard category describing the underlying software or hardware weakness.
CNA
CVE Numbering Authority: an organisation authorised to assign and publish CVE records.
CISA ADP
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Authorized Data Publisher: structured enrichment added to a CVE record.
NVD
National Vulnerability Database: NIST's enrichment service for CVE records.
CERT / CSIRT
A computer security incident response team that publishes warnings or coordinates incident response.
PoC
Proof of concept: public material that demonstrates or helps reproduce exploitation.
CSAF
Common Security Advisory Framework: a machine-readable format for security advisories.
LoTL
Living off the land: abuse of legitimate tools or system functions during an attack.