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.
Published: 2026-03-20
Score: 7.5 High
EPSS: < 1% Very Low
KEV: No
Impact: Denial of Service
Action: Immediate Patch
AI Analysis

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Remediation

No vendor fix or workaround currently provided.

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Tracking

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Advisories
Source ID Title
Github GHSA Github GHSA GHSA-jm6w-m3j8-898g Unauthenticated remote shutdown in nltk.app.wordnet_app
History

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 14:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'yes', 'Exploitation': 'poc', 'Technical Impact': 'partial'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}


Mon, 23 Mar 2026 19:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
CPEs cpe:2.3:a:nltk:nltk:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 12:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
References
Metrics threat_severity

None

threat_severity

Important


Mon, 23 Mar 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Nltk
Nltk nltk
Vendors & Products Nltk
Nltk nltk

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 23:00:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
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.
Title NLTK has unauthenticated remote shutdown in nltk.app.wordnet_app
Weaknesses CWE-306
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 7.5, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H'}


cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: GitHub_M

Published:

Updated: 2026-03-25T13:43:45.724Z

Reserved: 2026-03-18T02:42:27.507Z

Link: CVE-2026-33231

cve-icon Vulnrichment

Updated: 2026-03-25T13:43:42.487Z

cve-icon NVD

Status : Analyzed

Published: 2026-03-20T23:16:46.850

Modified: 2026-03-23T19:15:05.163

Link: CVE-2026-33231

cve-icon Redhat

Severity : Important

Publid Date: 2026-03-20T22:45:40Z

Links: CVE-2026-33231 - Bugzilla

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

Updated: 2026-03-25T14:34:08Z

Weaknesses