Description
In nltk version 3.9.4, the `nltk.downloader.Downloader._download_package()` function writes downloaded package bytes to disk and may extract them before enforcing SHA-256 or MD5 checksum validation. This allows an attacker to tamper with the package response body for `info.url` through a compromised mirror, malicious proxy, or other source-substitution condition, leading to the installation of attacker-controlled package bytes. The vulnerability can result in malicious corpus or model content being trusted by downstream users or applications.
Published: 2026-08-03
Score: 5.3 Medium
EPSS: n/a
KEV: No
Impact: n/a
Action: n/a
AI Analysis

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Remediation

No vendor fix or workaround currently provided.

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Tracking

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Advisories

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History

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 09:45:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Nltk
Nltk nltk/nltk
Vendors & Products Nltk
Nltk nltk/nltk

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 08:00:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description In nltk version 3.9.4, the `nltk.downloader.Downloader._download_package()` function writes downloaded package bytes to disk and may extract them before enforcing SHA-256 or MD5 checksum validation. This allows an attacker to tamper with the package response body for `info.url` through a compromised mirror, malicious proxy, or other source-substitution condition, leading to the installation of attacker-controlled package bytes. The vulnerability can result in malicious corpus or model content being trusted by downstream users or applications.
Title Improper Input Validation in nltk/nltk
Weaknesses CWE-494
References
Metrics cvssV3_0

{'score': 5.3, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N'}


cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: @huntr_ai

Published:

Updated: 2026-08-03T07:09:35.262Z

Reserved: 2026-06-15T09:55:01.162Z

Link: CVE-2026-12259

cve-icon Vulnrichment

No data.

cve-icon NVD

No data.

cve-icon Redhat

No data.

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

Updated: 2026-08-03T09:30:17Z

Weaknesses
  • CWE-494

    Download of Code Without Integrity Check