# CVE-2026-55404: yt-dlp and youtube-dl command injection in shortcut file generation

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-55404-yt-dlp-and-youtube-dl-command-injection-in-shortcut-file  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-07-08. Updated: 2026-07-24  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-55404 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.5 · Published 2026-07-08

yt-dlp is a popular command-line tool used to download videos from various websites. A vulnerability exists where a maliciously crafted website can provide fake video information that causes yt-dlp to create dangerous shortcut files on the user's computer. If a user opens these generated shortcut files, an attacker could remotely execute commands or run malicious software on the user's system.

Technologies: [yt-dlp (PyPI)](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/yt-dlp). Vendors: [PyPI](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/pypi).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-55404 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-55404 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-55404?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.5, published 8 July 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** yt-dlp (PyPI) < 2026.7.4, ECOSYSTEM:introduced=0,fixed=2026.7.4; Youtube-Dl Prior to 2026.7.4.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-55404?** Yes. yt-dlp (PyPI): upgrade to 2026.7.4 or later. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-55404 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-55404?** Check whether you run yt-dlp (PyPI) or Youtube-Dl at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## How to fix

- yt-dlp (PyPI): upgrade to 2026.7.4 or later

  ```sh
  pip install "yt-dlp>=2026.7.4"
  ```


## Technical details

A command injection vulnerability exists in yt-dlp when using the --write-link, --write-url-link, or --write-desktop-link options. The issue stems from improper sanitization of metadata (specifically webpage_url and filename) before writing it to .url (Windows) or .desktop (Linux) shortcut files. On Windows, an attacker can inject a file:// URI pointing to a remote executable. On Linux, if --no-windows-filenames is used, an attacker can use newline characters to inject 'Type=Application' and 'Exec' keys into the .desktop file. Exploitation requires the user to download content from a malicious site and subsequently execute the generated shortcut file. The vulnerability is fixed in version 2026.07.04.

## Affected products

- yt-dlp yt-dlp < 2026.07.04

## Identifiers

- CVE-2026-55404
- GHSA-6v4j-43gg-vj32
- PYSEC-2026-3622

## Timeline

- 2026-07-04: patched: Fixed in version 2026.07.04
- 2026-07-08: advisory: NVD publication date
- 2026-07-24: disclosed: GitHub Advisory published

## References

- [https://api.github.com/users/gamer191](https://api.github.com/users/gamer191)
- [https://github.com/gamer191](https://github.com/gamer191)
- [https://api.github.com/users/gamer191/gists%7B/gist_id%7D](https://api.github.com/users/gamer191/gists%7B/gist_id%7D)
- [https://api.github.com/users/gamer191/repos](https://api.github.com/users/gamer191/repos)
- [https://avatars.githubusercontent.com/u/83270075?v=4](https://avatars.githubusercontent.com/u/83270075?v=4)
- [https://api.github.com/users/gamer191/events%7B/privacy%7D](https://api.github.com/users/gamer191/events%7B/privacy%7D)

## Related threats

- [PYSEC-2026-3432 - yt-dlp: Arbitrary Command Injection when using the `--netrc-cmd` option](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-26331-yt-dlp-arbitrary-command-injection-when-using-the-netrc-cmd)
- [PYSEC-2026-2065 - yt-dlp File system modification and RCE through improper file-extension sanitization](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2024-38519-yt-dlp-file-system-modification-and-rce-through-improper-file)
- [PYSEC-2026-2066 - yt-dlp: `--exec` command injection when using `%q` in yt-dlp on Windows (Bypass of )](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2024-22423-yt-dlp-exec-command-injection-when-using-q-in-yt-dlp-on-windows)
- [PYSEC-2026-2063 - yt-dlp Generic Extractor MITM Vulnerability via Arbitrary Proxy Injection](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2023-46121-yt-dlp-generic-extractor-mitm-via-arbitrary-proxy-injection)
- [PYSEC-2026-2064 - yt-dlp on Windows vulnerable to `--exec` command injection when using `%q`](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2023-40581-yt-dlp-on-windows-vulnerable-to-exec-command-injection-when-using)