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MEDIUM Received

CVE-2026-12259

In 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.

Published 03 Aug 2026, 08:17 UTC Last modified 03 Aug 2026, 08:17 UTC
01

Attack profile

The conditions required to exploit this vulnerability and its potential impact.

Attack vector Network
Attack complexity High
Privileges required None
User interaction Required
Scope Unchanged
Confidentiality None
Integrity High
Availability None
Exploitability1.6
Impact3.6
02

Affected products

Product applicability statements supplied with the NVD record.

NVD has not published structured affected-product data for this record.
03

Weakness classification

CWE categories help security teams group the underlying software weakness.

04

Source references

External advisories, patches and technical reports attached to this CVE record.