CVE-2026-33231

HIGH

NLTK has unauthenticated remote shutdown in nltk.app.wordnet_app

Title source: cna
STIX 2.1

Description

NLTK (Natural Language Toolkit) is a suite of open source Python modules, data sets, and tutorials supporting research and development in Natural Language Processing. In versions 3.9.3 and prior, `nltk.app.wordnet_app` allows unauthenticated remote shutdown of the local WordNet Browser HTTP server when it is started in its default mode. A simple `GET /SHUTDOWN%20THE%20SERVER` request causes the process to terminate immediately via `os._exit(0)`, resulting in a denial of service. Commit bbaae83db86a0f49e00f5b0db44a7254c268de9b patches the issue.

Scores

CVSS v3 7.5
EPSS 0.0002
EPSS Percentile 5.1%
Attack Vector NETWORK
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

CISA SSVC

Vulnrichment
Exploitation poc
Automatable yes
Technical Impact partial

Details

CWE
CWE-306
Status published
Products (3)
nltk/nltk < 3.9.3
nltk/nltk <= 3.9.3
pypi/nltk 0PyPI
Published Mar 20, 2026
Tracked Since Mar 21, 2026