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Vulnerability · Published Jul 8, 2026 · Assigned by GitHub_M

CVE-2026-55404yt-dlp: Downstream command injection via improper sanitization of yt-dlp --write-link output

High 7.5

In plain English

A high-severity injection in yt-dlp from yt-dlp. There are no confirmed reports of exploitation so far. The chance it is exploited in the next 30 days is estimated at 0.6% (higher than 51% of all known vulnerabilities). Fixed versions are available - upgrade the affected package.

Severity (CVSS 3.1)7.5High
Exploit odds (30 days)0.6%top 49.1% of all CVEs
Exploited in the wildNo reportsCISA SSVC: none
Attack toolingNoneno public tooling known

Official description

yt-dlp and youtube-dl are command-line audio/video downloaders. Prior to 2026.7.4, the --write-link, --write-url-link, and --write-desktop-link options can write .url or .desktop shortcut files using attacker-controlled webpage_url or filename metadata without sufficient validation or escaping, allowing malicious file:// URI injection on Windows or newline-based desktop entry key injection on Linux that can execute commands if the generated shortcut is opened. This issue is fixed in version 2026.7.4.

Affected packages & fixed versions

EcosystemPackageFixed inAdvisory
Debian:12yt-dlpno fix listedDEBIAN-CVE-2026-55404
Debian:13yt-dlpno fix listedDEBIAN-CVE-2026-55404
Debian:14yt-dlp2026.07.04-1DEBIAN-CVE-2026-55404
PyPIyt-dlp2026.7.4GHSA-6v4j-43gg-vj32
PyPIyt-dlp2026.7.4PYSEC-2026-3622
Ubuntu:22.04:LTSyoutube-dlno fix listedUBUNTU-CVE-2026-55404
Ubuntu:22.04:LTSyt-dlpno fix listedUBUNTU-CVE-2026-55404
Ubuntu:24.04:LTSyt-dlpno fix listedUBUNTU-CVE-2026-55404
Ubuntu:25.10yt-dlpno fix listedUBUNTU-CVE-2026-55404
Ubuntu:26.04:LTSyt-dlpno fix listedUBUNTU-CVE-2026-55404
Ubuntu:26.10yt-dlpno fix listedUBUNTU-CVE-2026-55404

Affected products (as reported)

VendorProductVersions
yt-dlp yt-dlp < 2026.7.4

Weakness: CWE-74 · Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

References