CVE-2026-55404
Highyt-dlp and youtube-dl are command-line audio/video downloaders.
Published Jul 8, 2026 · Updated Aug 12, 2026 · Also known as DEBIAN-CVE-2026-55404, EUVD-2026-42368, GHSA-6v4j-43gg-vj32, PYSEC-2026-3622, UBUNTU-CVE-2026-55404
Key Facts
Patch in the next maintenance window- CVE-2026-55404 is a high-severity vulnerability (CVSS 8.8 v3.1) affecting Yt-Dlp (Yt-Dlp Project), youtube-dl (ubuntu), python313-yt-dlp (suse) and 1 more product.
- It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog. No public exploit code is known.
- EPSS estimates a 0.6% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- Fixed versions are available, including python313-yt-dlp 2026.07.04-1.1, Yt-Dlp 2026.07.04-1, Yt-Dlp 2026.07.04-1.1.
- Brandefense priority: patch in the next maintenance window, because of its high severity, although no exploitation is known.
CVSS v3.1
8.8
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
0.6%
Exploited in the wild
No known
Not in a known-exploited catalog
Public exploit code
None known
Get the full CVE-2026-55404 brief as a PDF
Every affected product and fixed release, exploitation status and a first 24 hours response checklist, emailed within minutes.
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 Products
31 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| Yt-DlpYt-Dlp Project | See advisory | 2026.07.04 |
| youtube-dlubuntu | See advisory | n/a |
| python313-yt-dlpsuse | See advisory | 2026.07.04-1.1 |
| yt-dlp-youtube-dlsuse | See advisory | 2026.07.04-1.1 |
Patched Releases
python313-yt-dlp
2026.07.04-1.1
Yt-Dlp
2026.07.04-1, 2026.07.04-1.1, 2026.7.4, 2026.07.04
yt-dlp-youtube-dl
2026.07.04-1.1
Timeline
Publicly disclosed
Jul 8, 2026
Last updated
Aug 12, 2026
Weakness Type
- CWE-74 Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component ('Injection')
References
- advisoryGHSA advisory
- advisoryhttps://github.com/CVEProject/cvelistV5/tree/main/cves/2026/55xxx/CVE-2026-55404.json
- advisoryhttps://github.com/yt-dlp/yt-dlp/commit/6fc85f617a5850307fd5b258477070e6ee177796
- advisoryhttps://github.com/yt-dlp/yt-dlp-nightly-builds/releases/tag/2026.07.04.221833
- advisoryhttps://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-55404
FAQ
Common Questions.
yt-dlp and youtube-dl are command-line audio/video downloaders.
Affected: Yt-Dlp (Yt-Dlp Project); youtube-dl (ubuntu); python313-yt-dlp (suse), among others. The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog.
No, it is not currently listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
No public exploit code is known.
Fixed versions are available, including python313-yt-dlp 2026.07.04-1.1, Yt-Dlp 2026.07.04-1, Yt-Dlp 2026.07.04-1.1.
Brandefense priority: patch in the next maintenance window, because of its high severity, although no exploitation is known.
Is CVE-2026-55404 Running On Your Attack Surface?
Brandefense maps vulnerabilities like this one to your internet-facing assets and tells you exactly where to patch.
Request A Demo