CVE-2026-12259

NameCVE-2026-12259
DescriptionIn 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.
SourceCVE (at NVD; CERT, ENISA, LWN, oss-sec, fulldisc, Debian ELTS, Red Hat, Ubuntu, Gentoo, SUSE bugzilla/CVE, GitHub advisories/code/issues, web search, more)
Debian Bugs1144456

Vulnerable and fixed packages

The table below lists information on source packages.

Source PackageReleaseVersionStatus
nltk (PTS)bullseye3.5-1vulnerable
bookworm3.8-1vulnerable
trixie3.9.1-2vulnerable
forky, sid3.10.3-1vulnerable

The information below is based on the following data on fixed versions.

PackageTypeReleaseFixed VersionUrgencyOriginDebian Bugs
nltksource(unstable)(unfixed)1144456

Notes

[trixie] - nltk <no-dsa> (Minor issue)
https://huntr.com/bounties/659ccf6d-12d4-4d4a-84c0-078633c35a5d

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