CVE-2026-55404: yt-dlp and youtube-dl are command-line audio/video downloaders

Q: How do I fix CVE-2026-55404?

yt-dlp: upgrade to 2026.07.04. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2026-55404 being exploited?

CVE-2026-55404 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2026-55404 affect?

CVE-2026-55404 affects yt-dlp. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). 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 filen

Routine

HIGH 7.5UPGRADE

CVE-2026-55404 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting yt-dlp. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

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 short

Why this priority

High severity

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.5 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	High
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	0.6% (top 50%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-74
Published	2026-07-08
Last modified	2026-07-13

Publisher (CNA): GitHub, Inc. · Vendor: yt-dlp project

Last updated 2026-07-13 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2026-07-08 20:16 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-07-13 17:01 UTCUpdated Record last modified

yt-dlp project yt-dlp UPGRADE

Affected: < 2026.07.04

Fixed in: 2026.07.04

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy yt-dlp || rpm -q yt-dlp || yt-dlp --version

2. UPGRADE to 2026.07.04 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade yt-dlp

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade yt-dlp

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2026-55404?

yt-dlp: upgrade to 2026.07.04. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2026-55404 being exploited?

CVE-2026-55404 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2026-55404 affect?

CVE-2026-55404 affects yt-dlp. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). 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 filen

How urgent is CVE-2026-55404?

Priority 39/100. High severity

Software pages

Windows vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2026-50019 MEDIUM 6.1 UPGRADE yt-dlp is a command-line audio/video downloader
CVE-2026-50023 HIGH 8.3 UPGRADE yt-dlp is a command-line audio/video downloader
CVE-2026-50574 HIGH 8.3 UPGRADE yt-dlp is a command-line audio/video downloader

References

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