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

CVE-2026-55404 is fixed in yt-dlp on 1 platform, first by DEBIAN-CVE-2026-55404, released July 10, 2026. It is not reported as exploited. Patch Radar priority: High.

- Web page: https://patchblox.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-55404
- Priority: High
- CVSS: 8.8 (high)
- EPSS: 0.0064
- CISA KEV: not listed
- Exploited (vendor report): no
- Publicly disclosed: no
- Published: Jul 8, 2026

## 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.

## Where it's fixed

| Platform | Product | Fixed in | Fix | Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linux | yt-dlp Debian 14 | 2026.07.04-1 | [DEBIAN-CVE-2026-55404](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/debian-cve-2026-55404.md) | Jul 10, 2026 |
| Linux | yt-dlp opensuse-leap 16.0 | 2026.08.19-bp160.1.1 | [OPENSUSE-SU-2026:22142-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/opensuse-su-2026-22142-1.md) | Nov 7, 2026 |

---

Data as of 2026-11-08T06:59:42Z 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 Patchblox finds out-of-date software on Windows, macOS and Linux and updates it through release rings: https://patchblox.com/demo

Free to use with attribution: show "Data: Patchblox Patch Radar" with a link to https://patchblox.com/security/patch-radar. Terms, including what needs a written agreement: https://patchblox.com/security/patch-radar/use-the-data

Product names, logos and trademarks shown on Patch Radar belong to their respective owners. They are used only to identify the software each security fix applies to and to help readers find their platform. Their use does not imply any affiliation with, or endorsement by, those owners, and Patchblox is not affiliated with any of them.