CVE-2026-55404

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

Published Jul 8, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 7.5 High EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
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.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
Github GHSA Github GHSA GHSA-6v4j-43gg-vj32 yt-dlp: Downstream command injection via improper sanitization of yt-dlp --write-link output
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'total'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Yt-dlp
Yt-dlp yt-dlp
Vendors & Products Yt-dlp
Yt-dlp yt-dlp
Type Values Removed Values Added
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.
Title yt-dlp: Downstream command injection via improper sanitization of yt-dlp --write-link output
Weaknesses CWE-74
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

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

Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
GitHub_M
Published
Updated
Jul 9, 2026, 2:41 PM
Reserved
Jun 16, 2026, 9:48 PM
Status
Analyzed
Published
Jul 8, 2026, 8:16 PM
Modified
Jul 13, 2026, 5:01 PM