CVE-2026-54293NLTK: URL-Encoded Path Traversal in nltk.data.load() Allows Arbitrary Local File Read
Updated under an hour ago ()
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No exploitation reported and no EPSS estimate yet.
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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.
- CVSS
- 7.5 HIGH (v3.1, CNA)CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
- Weakness (CWE)
- CWE-22
- Known exploited
- Not in CISA's KEV catalog
- EPSS (exploitation in the next 30 days)
- Not loaded for this CVE
- Assigned by
- GitHub_M
- NVD analysis
- Modified
- Record last updated
- Sep 9, 2026
- First seen by InfoSec Signals
- Oct 9, 2026
Affected products
nltk nltk nltk:nltk (from the name) | before 3.10.0-rc1 | CNA record |
Red Hat Red Hat OpenShift AI 2.25 redhat:openshift_ai | from 1783701598 not affected | CISA ADP |
Red Hat Exploit Intelligence redhat:exploit_intelligence | 0 | CISA ADP |
Red Hat OpenShift Lightspeed redhat:openshift_lightspeed | Versions not stated | CISA ADP |
Red Hat Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2 redhat:ansible_automation_platform | 2 | CISA ADP |
nltk nltk nltk:nltk | before 3.10.0 | NVD |
References
- https://github.com/nltk/nltk/security/advisories/GHSA-p4gq-832x-fm9vx-refsource-confirm, exploit, vendor-advisory
- https://github.com/nltk/nltk/pull/3575x-refsource-misc, issue-tracking, patch
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:42644
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:60520
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:65126
- https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-54293
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2491486
- https://security.access.redhat.com/data/csaf/v2/vex/2026/cve-2026-54293.json
The CVE record on cve.org NVD's entry
The CVE record is authoritative. Products marked “from the name” were identified from the CNA's free-text names, not a CPE, and are matched less certainly. This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD.