Upstream information
Description
nltk PorterStemmer in versions <= 3.10.2 (fixed in 3.10.3) contains an inefficient-algorithmic-complexity denial of service in PorterStemmer.stem(). The _is_consonant() helper walks backward over the entire run of trailing 'y' characters on every call, and _measure() invokes it for each stem position, causing O(n^2) behavior. A single ~20-50 KB untrusted token consisting of a long run of the letter 'y' followed by a matching suffix (e.g., 'ness') can pin a CPU core for seconds to minutes, causing availability impact.SUSE information
Overall state of this security issue: Does not affect SUSE products
This issue is currently rated as having important severity.
| CVSS detail | CNA (VulnCheck) |
|---|---|
| Base Score | 7.5 |
| Vector | CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H |
| Attack Vector | Network |
| Attack Complexity | Low |
| Privileges Required | None |
| User Interaction | None |
| Scope | Unchanged |
| Confidentiality Impact | None |
| Integrity Impact | None |
| Availability Impact | High |
| CVSSv3 Version | 3.1 |
| CVSS detail | CNA (VulnCheck) |
|---|---|
| Base Score | 8.7 |
| Vector | CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:N/VI:N/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X |
| Attack Vector | Network |
| Attack Complexity | Low |
| Attack Requirements | None |
| Privileges Required | None |
| User Interaction | None |
| Vulnerable System Confidentiality Impact | None |
| Vulnerable System Integrity Impact | None |
| Vulnerable System Availability Impact | High |
| Subsequent System Confidentiality Impact | None |
| Subsequent System Integrity Impact | None |
| Subsequent System Availability Impact | None |
| CVSSv4 Version | 4.0 |
SUSE Timeline for this CVE
CVE page created: Wed Sep 2 17:15:27 2026CVE page last modified: Wed Sep 2 17:15:27 2026