CVE-2026-79674: NLTK versions before 3.10.3 contain a path sandbox bypass vulnerability in corpus-reader constructors that all

Q: How do I fix CVE-2026-79674?

nltk: upgrade to 3.10.3. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2026-79674 being exploited?

CVE-2026-79674 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2026-79674 affect?

CVE-2026-79674 affects nltk. Severity is high (CVSS 8.2). 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 LinThesaurusCorpus

Q: How urgent is CVE-2026-79674?

Priority 47/100. High severity; Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

This week

HIGH 8.2REMOTEUPGRADE

CVE-2026-79674 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 8.2) affecting nltk. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

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 this priority

High severity
Public exploit reference
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	8.2 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.4% (top 67%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-73
Published	2026-08-25
Last modified	2026-08-31

Publisher (CNA): VulnCheck · Vendor: nltk

Last updated 2026-08-31 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2026-08-25 16:17 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-08-31 19:06 UTCUpdated Record last modified

nltk nltk UPGRADE

Affected: < 3.10.3

Fixed in: 3.10.3

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy nltk || rpm -q nltk || nltk --version

2. UPGRADE to 3.10.3 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade nltk

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade nltk

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2026-79674?

nltk: upgrade to 3.10.3. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2026-79674 being exploited?

CVE-2026-79674 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2026-79674 affect?

CVE-2026-79674 affects nltk. Severity is high (CVSS 8.2). 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 LinThesaurusCorpus

How urgent is CVE-2026-79674?

Priority 47/100. High severity; Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

Software pages

SQLite vulnerabilities

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References

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