nltk versions before 3.10.2 contain a symlink-based arbitrary file read vulnerability in IPIPANCorpusReader methods that bypass nltk.pathsec… (CVE-2026-62383)
NLTK versions before 3.10.2 have a symlink-based arbitrary file read vulnerability in the IPIPANCorpusReader methods. This vulnerability allows attackers with limited privileges to bypass path security checks by placing a symlink in the corpus root directory. By invoking methods such as channels(), domains(), categories(), or fileids() with the symlink filename, attackers can read arbitrary files accessible to the process.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
The vulnerability in NLTK prior to version 3.10.2 involves the IPIPANCorpusReader class, where symlink validation is bypassed, enabling arbitrary file reads. Attackers with local privileges can create symlinks within the corpus root directory to files outside the intended corpus scope. When methods like channels(), domains(), categories(), or fileids() are called with these symlink filenames, the path security checks (nltk.pathsec) are circumvented, allowing unauthorized file access. This is classified as CWE-22 (Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory).
Potential Impact
An attacker with local access and low privileges can read arbitrary files accessible to the NLTK process by exploiting the symlink bypass in IPIPANCorpusReader. This can lead to disclosure of sensitive information. There is no indication of integrity or availability impact. The CVSS score is 5.5 (medium severity), reflecting the moderate risk due to required local access and limited attack complexity.
Mitigation Recommendations
A fix is available in NLTK version 3.10.2. Users should upgrade to version 3.10.2 or later to remediate this vulnerability. No other mitigations or workarounds are indicated in the available data.
nltk versions before 3.10.2 contain a symlink-based arbitrary file read vulnerability in IPIPANCorpusReader methods that bypass nltk.pathsec… (CVE-2026-62383)
Description
NLTK versions before 3.10.2 have a symlink-based arbitrary file read vulnerability in the IPIPANCorpusReader methods. This vulnerability allows attackers with limited privileges to bypass path security checks by placing a symlink in the corpus root directory. By invoking methods such as channels(), domains(), categories(), or fileids() with the symlink filename, attackers can read arbitrary files accessible to the process.
CVSS v3.1
Score 5.5medium
Affected software
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Weaknesses
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
The vulnerability in NLTK prior to version 3.10.2 involves the IPIPANCorpusReader class, where symlink validation is bypassed, enabling arbitrary file reads. Attackers with local privileges can create symlinks within the corpus root directory to files outside the intended corpus scope. When methods like channels(), domains(), categories(), or fileids() are called with these symlink filenames, the path security checks (nltk.pathsec) are circumvented, allowing unauthorized file access. This is classified as CWE-22 (Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory).
Potential Impact
An attacker with local access and low privileges can read arbitrary files accessible to the NLTK process by exploiting the symlink bypass in IPIPANCorpusReader. This can lead to disclosure of sensitive information. There is no indication of integrity or availability impact. The CVSS score is 5.5 (medium severity), reflecting the moderate risk due to required local access and limited attack complexity.
Mitigation Recommendations
A fix is available in NLTK version 3.10.2. Users should upgrade to version 3.10.2 or later to remediate this vulnerability. No other mitigations or workarounds are indicated in the available data.
Technical Details
- Gcve Source
- db.gcve.eu
- Osv Id
- GHSA-343m-9fqq-97c7
- Osv Schema Version
- 1.4.0
- Aliases
- ["CVE-2026-62383"]
- Ecosystems
- []
- Database Specific Severity
- MODERATE
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
Threat ID: 6a8a27f9acd9273b499bc9d2
Added to database: 08/22/2026, 22:51:37 UTC
Last enriched: 08/22/2026, 22:53:03 UTC
Last updated: 08/23/2026, 01:20:48 UTC
Views: 6
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