Description
NLTK through 3.8.1 allows remote code execution if untrusted packages have pickled Python code, and the integrated data package download functionality is used. This affects, for example, averaged_perceptron_tagger and punkt.
Fixed in Linux distributions
Distributions backport fixes, so the version that fixes this vulnerability differs per release — upgrade to at least the version shown. From the distributions' security trackers and advisories.
Debian
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 14 | nltk | 3.9.1-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | nltk | 3.9.1-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | nltk | No fix yet | — |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 24.04 LTS | nltk | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | nltk | No fix yet | — |
Show 4 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu Pro 20.04 LTS | nltk | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu Pro 18.04 LTS | nltk | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu Pro 16.04 LTS | nltk | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu Pro 14.04 LTS | nltk | No fix yet | — |
SUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUSE Package Hub 15 SP6 | python-nltk | 3.7-bp156.4.3.1 | openSUSE-SU-2024:0221-1 |
| SUSE Package Hub 15 SP5 | python-nltk | 3.7-bp155.3.3.1 | openSUSE-SU-2024:0222-1 |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | python-nltk | 3.8.1-2.1 | openSUSE-SU-2026:11469-1, openSUSE-SU-2024:14103-1 |
| openSUSE Leap 15.6 | python-nltk | 3.7-bp156.4.3.1 | openSUSE-SU-2024:0221-1 |
| openSUSE Leap 15.5 | python-nltk | 3.7-bp155.3.3.1 | openSUSE-SU-2024:0222-1 |
Wolfi
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wolfi rolling | py3-nltk +7 | 3.8.2-r0 | — |
Affected packages
| Ecosystem | Package | Affected | Fixed | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PyPI | nltk | < 3.9 | 3.9 | GHSA-cgvx-9447-vcch |
Advisories 4
- openSUSE-SU-2026:11469-1 python313-nltk-3.10.1-1.1 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Aug 7, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2024:0221-1 Security update for python-nltk SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2024:0222-1 Security update for python-nltk SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2024:14103-1 python310-nltk-3.8.1-2.1 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026