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.
Advisories

No advisories yet.

Fixes

Solution

No solution given by the vendor.


Workaround

No workaround given by the vendor.

History

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 12:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-354
References
Metrics threat_severity

None

cvssV3_1

{'score': 5.3, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N'}

threat_severity

Moderate


Mon, 03 Aug 2026 15:30:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'partial'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}


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'}


Projects

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cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: @huntr_ai

Published:

Updated: 2026-08-03T14:59:01.815Z

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

Link: CVE-2026-12259

cve-icon Vulnrichment

Updated: 2026-08-03T14:58:56.144Z

cve-icon NVD

Status : Received

Published: 2026-08-03T08:17:17.880

Modified: 2026-08-03T16:16:26.887

Link: CVE-2026-12259

cve-icon Redhat

Severity : Moderate

Publid Date: 2026-08-03T07:09:35Z

Links: CVE-2026-12259 - Bugzilla

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

Updated: 2026-08-05T14:30:05Z

Weaknesses