NLTK before 3.10.3 JVM Argument Injection via Per-Call Options
nltk · nltk
9.3CriticalCVSS 4.0
Recommended action
Within 72 hours
Critical technical impact with a remotely reachable, unauthenticated path and a public exploit reference; no CISA KEV confirmation is currently recorded.
Patch available
Distribution package intelligence
Ubuntu vendor package status
Canonical’s release and source-package findings are shown separately from local repository availability.
1 package state
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.
Ubuntu release
Source package
Vendor state
Fixed version
Evidence
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSnoble · esm-apps
nltk
Under evaluationCanonical reports that the package might be affected and still needs evaluation or fixing.
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-2026-79675 · CSAF 2.0 · revision 3 · finalRed Hat Product Securitynltk: NLTK before 3.10.3 JVM Argument Injection via Per-Call Options
14 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-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)
Summary
A flaw was found in NLTK. When processing untrusted input for its `per-call options` parameter in the `java()` function, NLTK fails to validate Java Virtual Machine (JVM) options. A remote attacker could exploit this by injecting dangerous JVM flags, such as -agentpath or -javaagent, to achieve arbitrary code execution. Successful exploitation requires specific conditions, indicating a higher attack complexity.
Remediation
Mitigation for this issue is either not available or the currently available options do not meet the Red Hat Product Security criteria comprising ease of use and deployment, applicability to widespread installation base, or stability.
Optional official sources
National CERT insights ?CERT means Computer Emergency Response Team; CSIRT is the closely related term Computer Security Incident Response Team.
Select the national-authority views to include. The exact source language is shown on each matched advisory. Your choice is remembered on this device and encoded in the shareable URL.
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-2026-65525
No EUVD known-exploited evidence
NLTK before 3.10.3 fails to validate JVM options passed through the per-call options parameter in the java() function, allowing attackers to inject dangerous JVM flags. Attackers can supply malicious options like -agentpath, -javaagent, or @argfile to Stanford wrapper classes to achieve arbitrary code execution.
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
9.3 · CVSS 4.0
Advisory evidence
No linked advisory details stored yet
Recommended actionWithin 72 hours
Critical technical impact with a remotely reachable, unauthenticated path and a public exploit reference; no CISA KEV confirmation is currently recorded.
Patch available
01
What, why and how
NLTK before 3.10.3 fails to validate JVM options passed through the per-call options parameter in the java() function, allowing attackers to inject dangerous JVM flags. Attackers can supply malicious options like -agentpath, -javaagent, or @argfile to Stanford wrapper classes to achieve arbitrary code execution.
What
NLTK before 3.10.3 fails to validate JVM options passed through the per-call options parameter in the java() function, allowing attackers to inject dangerous JVM flags. Attackers can supply malicious options like -agentpath, -javaagent, or @argfile to Stanford wrapper classes to achieve arbitrary code execution.
Why
The product constructs a string for a command to be executed by a separate component in another control sphere, but it does not properly delimit the intended arguments, options, or switches within that command string.
How
An attacker operating through a network path may attempt exploitation without authentication or user interaction. If successful, the issue may execute code or commands in the affected security context.
What
NLTK before 3.10.3 fails to validate JVM options passed through the per-call options parameter in the java() function, allowing attackers to inject dangerous JVM flags. Attackers can supply malicious options like -agentpath, -javaagent, or @argfile to Stanford wrapper classes to achieve arbitrary code execution.
Why
The product constructs a string for a command to be executed by a separate component in another control sphere, but it does not properly delimit the intended arguments, options, or switches within that command string.
How
An attacker operating through a network path may attempt exploitation without authentication or user interaction. If successful, the issue may execute code or commands in the affected security context.
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
A structured CVE source labels at least one public reference as exploit material. BlackTree has not independently validated that it is safe, reliable or weaponised.
Likely attack path
a network path → Improper Neutralization of Argument Delimiters in a Command ('Argument Injection') → execute code or commands in the affected security context
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-88: Improper Neutralization of Argument Delimiters in a Command ('Argument Injection'). The product constructs a string for a command to be executed by a separate component in another control sphere, but it does not properly delimit the intended arguments, options, or switches within that command string.
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.VIHighVulnerable-system integrity: A successful attack can cause a major loss.VAHighVulnerable-system availability: A successful attack can cause a major loss.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
After compromise, an attacker may use built-in shells, scripting engines, scheduled tasks and native network utilities for discovery, persistence or movement. This is a plausible LoTL path, not evidence that it has occurred for every attack.
Only matched European and national findings are included. Language selectors and unavailable sources are omitted.
ENISA EUVD · EUVD-2026-65525Official EUVD mapping
NLTK before 3.10.3 fails to validate JVM options passed through the per-call options parameter in the java() function, allowing attackers to inject dangerous JVM flags. Attackers can supply malicious options like -agentpath, -javaagent, or @argfile to Stanford wrapper classes to achieve arbitrary code execution.
Official EUVD record ↗JVN iPedia · Japanese · JVNDB-2026-031371NLTKにおける引数の挿入または変更に関する脆弱性
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.
Review the linked authoritative reference and apply the recorded fixed release appropriate to the affected product branch.
Workaround
Mitigation for this issue is either not available or the currently available options do not meet the Red Hat Product Security criteria comprising ease of use and deployment, applicability to widespread installation base, or stability.
04
Evidence and provenance
Published 25 Aug 2026 · Last source change 27 Aug 2026, 16:24 UTC · CWE-88 · Improper Neutralization of Argument Delimiters in a Command ('Argument Injection')
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-2026-65525
Product sourceVendor CSAF · Red Hat Product Security
Remediation sourceVendor CSAF · Red Hat Product Security
CWE sourceCNA
NVD statusNVD enriched
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-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-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-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.
CVE-2026-79675: NLTK before 3.10.3 JVM Argument Injection via Per-Call Options | BlackTree
