NLTK (Natural Language Toolkit) is a suite of open source Python modules, data sets, and tutorials supporting research and development in Natural Language Processing. Prior to 3.10.0-rc1, nltk.data.load() in NLTK is vulnerable to path traversal via URL-encoded path separators and traversal segments when using the nltk: URL scheme. The unsafe-path regex check is performed before url2pathname() decodes the %xx sequences (a classic decode-after-check / TOCTOU-style flaw), allowing an attacker to bypass the protection documented in NLTK's SECURITY.md and read arbitrary files from the filesystem. While literal traversal strings such as ../../../etc/passwd are correctly blocked, encoded variants such as %2fetc%2fpasswd, %2e%2e%2f..., and ..%2f..%2f slip past the regex and are subsequently decoded into a real filesystem path. This vulnerability is fixed in 3.10.0-rc1.
References
Configurations
History
21 Jul 2026, 12:18
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30 Jun 2026, 03:21
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26 Jun 2026, 20:06
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| First Time |
Nltk
Nltk nltk |
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| References | () https://github.com/nltk/nltk/pull/3575 - Issue Tracking, Patch | |
| References | () https://github.com/nltk/nltk/security/advisories/GHSA-p4gq-832x-fm9v - Exploit, Vendor Advisory | |
| CPE | cpe:2.3:a:nltk:nltk:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* |
22 Jun 2026, 22:16
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| References | () https://github.com/nltk/nltk/security/advisories/GHSA-p4gq-832x-fm9v - |
22 Jun 2026, 19:17
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| New CVE |
Information
Published : 2026-06-22 19:17
Updated : 2026-07-21 12:18
NVD link : CVE-2026-54293
Mitre link : CVE-2026-54293
CVE.ORG link : CVE-2026-54293
JSON object : View
Products Affected
nltk
- nltk
CWE
CWE-22
Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')
