CVE-2026-55404
Published:July 08, 2026
Updated:July 21, 2026
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
yt-dlp (CONDA):
Affected version(s) >=2022.1.21 <2026.7.4Fix Suggestion:
Update to version 2026.7.4yt-dlp (PYTHON):
Affected version(s) >=2021.1.15 <2026.7.4Fix Suggestion:
Update to version 2026.7.4Related Resources (3)
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Contact UsCVSS v4
Base Score:
7.7
Attack Vector
NETWORK
Attack Complexity
HIGH
Attack Requirements
NONE
Privileges Required
NONE
User Interaction
PASSIVE
Vulnerable System Confidentiality
HIGH
Vulnerable System Integrity
HIGH
Vulnerable System Availability
HIGH
Subsequent System Confidentiality
NONE
Subsequent System Integrity
NONE
Subsequent System Availability
NONE
CVSS v3
Base Score:
7.5
Attack Vector
NETWORK
Attack Complexity
HIGH
Privileges Required
NONE
User Interaction
REQUIRED
Scope
UNCHANGED
Confidentiality
HIGH
Integrity
HIGH
Availability
HIGH
Weakness Type (CWE)
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component ('Injection')
EPSS
Base Score:
0.64