# CVE-2024-38519: yt-dlp: `yt-dlp` and `youtube-dl` are command-line audio/video downloaders

CVE-2024-38519 is fixed in yt-dlp on 1 platform, first by DEBIAN-CVE-2024-38519, released July 2, 2024. It is not reported as exploited. Patch Radar priority: High.

- Web page: https://patchblox.com/security/cve/CVE-2024-38519
- Priority: High
- CVSS: 7.8 (high)
- EPSS: 0.0033
- CISA KEV: not listed
- Exploited (vendor report): no
- Publicly disclosed: no
- Published: Jul 2, 2024

## Description

`yt-dlp` and `youtube-dl` are command-line audio/video downloaders. Prior to the fixed versions, `yt-dlp` and `youtube-dl` do not limit the extensions of downloaded files, which could lead to arbitrary filenames being created in the download folder (and path traversal on Windows). Since `yt-dlp` and `youtube-dl` also read config from the working directory (and on Windows executables will be executed from the `yt-dlp` or `youtube-dl` directory), this could lead to arbitrary code being executed.     `yt-dlp` version 2024.07.01 fixes this issue by whitelisting the allowed extensions. `youtube-dl` fixes this issue in commit `d42a222` on the `master` branch and in nightly builds tagged 2024-07-03 or later. This might mean some very uncommon extensions might not get downloaded, however it will also limit the possible exploitation surface. In addition to upgrading, have `.%(ext)s` at the end of the output template and make sure the user trusts the websites that they are downloading from. Also, make sure to never download to a directory within PATH or other sensitive locations like one's user directory, `system32`, or other binaries locations. For users who are not able to upgrade, keep the default output template (`-o "%(title)s [%(id)s].%(ext)s`); make sure the extension of the media to download is a common video/audio/sub/... one; try to avoid the generic extractor; and/or use `--ignore-config --config-location ...` to not load config from common locations.

## Where it's fixed

| Platform | Product | Fixed in | Fix | Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linux | yt-dlp Debian 13.5 (trixie) | 2024.07.01-1 | [DEBIAN-CVE-2024-38519](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/debian-cve-2024-38519.md) | Jul 2, 2024 |
| Linux | yt-dlp Debian 14 | 2024.07.01-1 | [DEBIAN-CVE-2024-38519](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/debian-cve-2024-38519.md) | Jul 2, 2024 |

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Data as of 2026-11-08T13:06:02Z UTC. Source: Patchblox Patch Radar (https://patchblox.com/security/patch-radar). Patchblox finds out-of-date software on Windows, macOS and Linux and updates it through release rings: https://patchblox.com/demo

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