# CVE-2026-81727: nltk: NLTK versions before 3.10.3 contain a filesystem containment bypass vulnerability in the Downloader.download and Down...

CVE-2026-81727 is fixed in nltk on 1 platform by DEBIAN-CVE-2026-81727 (version 3.10.3-1), released August 28, 2026. It is not reported as exploited. Patch Radar priority: Routine.

- Web page: https://patchblox.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-81727
- Priority: Routine
- CVSS: n/a
- EPSS: 0.0019
- CISA KEV: not listed
- Exploited (vendor report): no
- Publicly disclosed: no
- Published: Aug 27, 2026

## Description

NLTK versions before 3.10.3 contain a filesystem containment bypass vulnerability in the Downloader.download and Downloader.incr_download methods that allows attackers to overwrite files outside the install root through pre-existing hardlinks. Attackers with write access to a shared downloader directory can create hardlinks pointing to outside-root files that are then overwritten during normal package extraction, mutating files outside the intended install tree.

## Where it's fixed

| Platform | Product | Fixed in | Fix | Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linux | nltk Debian 14 | 3.10.3-1 | [DEBIAN-CVE-2026-81727](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/debian-cve-2026-81727.md) | Aug 28, 2026 |

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Data as of 2026-11-09T19:38:12Z UTC. Source: Patchblox Patch Radar (https://patchblox.com/security/patch-radar). Patchblox finds out-of-date software on Windows, macOS and Linux and updates it through release rings: https://patchblox.com/demo

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