NLTK versions before 3.10.0 contain a logic bug in FileSystemPathPointer.open() where the sandbox validation check compares a normalized path… (CVE-2026-65915)
NLTK versions before 3.10.0 have a logic bug in the FileSystemPathPointer.open() method where the sandbox validation check is ineffective. This flaw allows attackers to use file:// URLs with nltk.data.load() to read arbitrary files accessible to the process user, including sensitive credentials and configuration files. The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 6.5, indicating a high severity level.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
The vulnerability (CVE-2026-65915) exists in NLTK versions prior to 3.10.0 due to a logic bug in the FileSystemPathPointer.open() function. The sandbox validation check compares a normalized path against itself, rendering the security check permanently inert. This allows attackers to bypass sandbox restrictions and read arbitrary files accessible by the process user by passing file:// URLs to the nltk.data.load() function.
Potential Impact
An attacker with at least low privileges (PR:L) can exploit this vulnerability remotely (AV:N) without user interaction (UI:N) to read sensitive files, potentially exposing credentials and configuration data. The integrity and availability of the system are not affected, but confidentiality is compromised (C:H/I:N/A:N).
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Since no patch or official fix information is provided, users should monitor the vendor's announcements for updates. Until a fix is available, avoid loading data from untrusted file:// URLs or restrict access to sensitive files to mitigate exposure.
NLTK versions before 3.10.0 contain a logic bug in FileSystemPathPointer.open() where the sandbox validation check compares a normalized path… (CVE-2026-65915)
Description
NLTK versions before 3.10.0 have a logic bug in the FileSystemPathPointer.open() method where the sandbox validation check is ineffective. This flaw allows attackers to use file:// URLs with nltk.data.load() to read arbitrary files accessible to the process user, including sensitive credentials and configuration files. The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 6.5, indicating a high severity level.
CVSS v3.1
Score 6.5medium
Affected software
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Weaknesses
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
The vulnerability (CVE-2026-65915) exists in NLTK versions prior to 3.10.0 due to a logic bug in the FileSystemPathPointer.open() function. The sandbox validation check compares a normalized path against itself, rendering the security check permanently inert. This allows attackers to bypass sandbox restrictions and read arbitrary files accessible by the process user by passing file:// URLs to the nltk.data.load() function.
Potential Impact
An attacker with at least low privileges (PR:L) can exploit this vulnerability remotely (AV:N) without user interaction (UI:N) to read sensitive files, potentially exposing credentials and configuration data. The integrity and availability of the system are not affected, but confidentiality is compromised (C:H/I:N/A:N).
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Since no patch or official fix information is provided, users should monitor the vendor's announcements for updates. Until a fix is available, avoid loading data from untrusted file:// URLs or restrict access to sensitive files to mitigate exposure.
Technical Details
- Gcve Source
- db.gcve.eu
- Osv Id
- GHSA-79ph-w9m5-4v5m
- Osv Schema Version
- 1.4.0
- Aliases
- ["CVE-2026-65915"]
- Ecosystems
- []
- Database Specific Severity
- HIGH
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
Threat ID: 6a8a27f9acd9273b499bc9cc
Added to database: 08/22/2026, 22:51:37 UTC
Last enriched: 08/22/2026, 22:52:12 UTC
Last updated: 08/22/2026, 23:21:35 UTC
Views: 3
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