CVE-2026-79675: NLTK before 3.10.3 fails to validate JVM options passed through the per-call options parameter in the java() f

This week

CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEUPGRADE

CVE-2026-79675 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting nltk. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

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 this priority

Critical severity
Public exploit reference
CISA SSVC: automatable with total technical impact
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.8 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.8% (top 44%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-88
Published	2026-08-25
Last modified	2026-09-01

Publisher (CNA): VulnCheck · Vendor: nltk

Last updated 2026-09-01 · 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
2026-09-01 20:08 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.

Exact fixes by distribution

Python (pip) · nltk · FIXED · 3.10.3 · vulnerable: <= 3.10.2 · source

pip install --upgrade "nltk>=3.10.3" pip show nltk

Fedora ELN · openbao · FIXED · 2.6.5-1.eln159 · FEDORA-2026-77adf886ae · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-77adf886ae

Fedora 46 · sugar-turtleart · FIXED · 220-16.fc46 · FEDORA-2026-b79483c788 · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-b79483c788

Debian 12 · nltk · NO FIX YET

Debian 13 · nltk · NO FIX YET

Public exploits and detection

Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.

Write-up: github.com/nltk/nltk/security/advisories/GHSA-m4rf-3fr8-xwx3

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-2026-79675?

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

Is CVE-2026-79675 being exploited?

CVE-2026-79675 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-2026-79675 affect?

CVE-2026-79675 affects nltk. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). 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

How urgent is CVE-2026-79675?

Priority 61/100. Critical severity; Public exploit reference; CISA SSVC: automatable with total technical impact; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

Software pages

Java vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2026-12252 HIGH 7.8 UPGRADE In nltk/nltk versions 3.9.3 and earlier, five Stanford interface classes (StanfordPOSTagger, StanfordNERTagger
CVE-2026-12259 MEDIUM 6.5 DOWNGRADE In nltk version 3.9.4, the `nltk.downloader.Downloader._download_package()` function writes downloaded package
CVE-2026-12261 MEDIUM 6.5 UPGRADE A vulnerability in `nltk.downloader` in nltk/nltk versions <= 3.9.4 allows for cross-package resource and mode
CVE-2026-12372 LOW 3.7 DOWNGRADE A Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) vulnerability exists in nltk/nltk versions 3.9.4 and the current develop
CVE-2026-71513 HIGH 8.8 UPGRADE NLTK before 3.10.3 contains a remote code execution vulnerability in AllowlistUnpickler that validates only th

References

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