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.
CVE-2026-55404
HIGHPre-NVD 7.57.5
EchelonGraph scoreLOW confidence
This high-severity CVE scores 7.5 under the CNA's CVSS (NVD's own analysis pending). EPSS exploit-prediction score not yet available (the EPSS model rescores nightly; freshly-published CVEs typically appear within 48 hours). GitHub Security Advisory data not yet ingested — confidence will rise once GHSA publishes (typical lag: hours to days for open-source ecosystem CVEs; never for infrastructure-only CVEs).
Triggered by: NVD CVSS baseline
Sources: cna:github_m
7.5
EchelonGraph verdictPlan a fixSerious severity, but no confirmed exploitation yet.
- High severity, but no confirmed exploitation yet
CISA-KEV: Not listedEPSS: —CVSS: 7.5Exploit: NoneExposed: 0
No vendor fix yet — apply a workaround or compensating control (WAF / firewall / segmentation) and watch for a patch.
- CVSS v3
- 7.5
- EG Score
- 7.5(low)
- EPSS
- —
- KEV
- Not listed
Published
July 8, 2026
Last Modified
July 8, 2026
References (3)
Weakness Classification(1)
MITRE Common Weakness Enumeration — the root-cause categories this CVE belongs to.
Data Freshness Timeline
(refreshed 2× in last 7d / 2× in last 30d)
Each row is a source pipeline that fetched or updated this CVE on that date, with what changed. For example, "NVD update" means NVD published or revised its analysis for this CVE; "MITRE cvelistV5" means we ingested or refreshed it from the CNA feed. Most recent first.
- 2026-07-08 19:46 UTCEG score recompute
- 2026-07-08 19:44 UTCMITRE cvelistV5first tracked
Related CVEs(same CWE)
Same CWE
10 shownCWE-74
- CVE-2015-10062NVD 5.5EG 9.8MEDIUM
- CVE-2015-10027NVD 5.5EG 9.8MEDIUM
- CVE-2016-15007NVD 5.5EG 9.8MEDIUM
- CVE-2016-15004NVD 7.3EG 9.8HIGH
- CVE-2013-4144EG 9.8CRITICAL
- CVE-2013-7487EG 9.8CRITICAL
- CVE-2014-4678EG 9.8EPSS 91%CRITICAL
- CVE-2014-4967EG 9.8CRITICAL
- CVE-2014-4966EG 9.8CRITICAL
- CVE-2013-7381EG 9.8CRITICAL
Frequently asked(4)
What is CVE-2026-55404?
CVE-2026-55404 is a high vulnerability published on July 8, 2026. 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,…
When was CVE-2026-55404 disclosed?
CVE-2026-55404 was first published in the National Vulnerability Database on July 8, 2026. EchelonGraph re-ingests CVE updates from NVD on a 2-hour cycle, so this page reflects the latest published state.
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2026-55404?
CVE-2026-55404 has a CVSS v4.0 base score of 7.5 (CNA self-assessment; NVD's own analysis pending). The EG score is currently aggregating — additional source signals are being incorporated as they become available..
How do I remediate CVE-2026-55404?
Patch to the fixed version published by the affected vendor. Where vendor advisories exist for CVE-2026-55404, EchelonGraph cross-links them in the Vendor Advisories panel below — those typically contain the canonical remediation steps, fixed version numbers, and any vendor-specific mitigations.
Dependency Blast Radius
Explore the affected products and dependency analysis for CVE-2026-55404
Is Your Infrastructure Affected by CVE-2026-55404?
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