CVE-2026-55404: yt-dlp_project yt-dlp Injection

Vulnerability summary

CVE-2026-55404 is a high (CVSS 8.8) Injection vulnerability in yt-dlp_project yt-dlp. EPSS estimates a 0.64% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 49.9% of scored vulnerabilities.

Timeline

1. 08-07-2026
   PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
2. 09-07-2026
   Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.

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.

• CWE-74Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component ('Injection')The product constructs all or part of a command, data structure, or record using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify how it is parsed or interpreted when it is sent to a downstream component.