Review reviewHigh

CVE-2026-54293

nltk nltk, Red Hat OpenShift AI 2.25, Exploit Intelligence

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...

CVSS: 7.5
EPSS: 0.56%
CISA KEV: Not listed
Published: 2026.06.23

PRIORITY ASSESSMENT

Review review

The CVSS severity warrants an early asset and exposure review.

Known exploitationNot established by KEV

Exploit probability0.56%

Technical severityCVSS 7.5

Vulnerability overview

Affected product and versions

Product: nltk nltk, Red Hat OpenShift AI 2.25, Exploit Intelligence
Affected versions: >= < 3.10.0-rc1, < 3.10.0
Fixed versions: 3.10.0

Recommended response sequence

Confirm exposure before applying a vendor-supported change.

Full remediation guide

1
Identify
Confirm that nltk nltk, Red Hat OpenShift AI 2.25, Exploit Intelligence and an affected version are present.
2
Prioritize
Combine exploitation signals with asset exposure and business criticality.
3
Remediate
Follow the vendor advisory or supported update path and preserve rollback options.
4
Verify
Recheck the version, service health, access paths, and relevant logs.

Technical data

CVSS vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
CWE: CWE-22