CVE-2026-55404
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.
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Exploitation outlook
- Low exploitation risk0.55% 30-day exploitation probability — currently an unlikely target, but scores change as exploit code circulates. Riskier than 42% of all EPSS-scored CVEs.
Advisory coverage (1)
External references
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[](https://www.csirts.com/cve/CVE-2026-55404)