Python
CVE-2026-26331
HIGH
GHSA-g3gw-q23r-pgqm
Attack ChainAIDerived
Hypothetical attack flow derived from CVE metadata – not a confirmed exploit chain
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AccessCraft malicious URL with shell metacharacters
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ExploitUser processes URL with --netrc-cmd option
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ExecutionCommand injection executed via netrc command
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ImpactArbitrary code runs with user privileges
Vulnerability Assessment
| Weakness |
CWE
OWASP Top 10:2025
A05:2025 - Injection
ASVS 5.0
V1 - Encoding and Sanitization OS command sanitization, avoid shell exec
MITRE ATT&CK
2 techniques across 1 tactic: Execution The technique list with ATT&CK links and the kill-chain view is part of the Basic plan and up. |
| Exploitation Conditions | yt-dlp must be invoked with --netrc-cmd command-line option or netrc_cmd Python API parameter enabled. Attacker requires user to process a maliciously crafted URL containing shell metacharacters through yt-dlp configured with this feature. |
| Impact | CVSS 8.8 (HIGH). Attack vector: Network. Complexity: Low. Privileges required: None. User interaction: Required. Public exploit/POC available. |
| Exploit ScenarioDerived | An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to compromise the affected system. |
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Alert meAnalysisAIv1 – Mar 12, 2026
yt-dlp is a command-line audio/video downloader. [CVSS 8.8 HIGH]
RemediationAI
A vendor patch is available — apply it immediately. Restrict network access to the affected service where possible.
Affected Packages
Source: OSV (Open Source Vulnerabilities)
Affects your stack
Affects 1 package in pypi
Checking this CVE against your own stacks and servers is part of the Basic plan and up.
Technical ContextAI · show details
Classified as CWE-78 (OS Command Injection). Affects Yt-Dlp. yt-dlp is a command-line audio/video downloader. Starting in version 2023.06.21 and prior to version 2026.02.21, when yt-dlp's --netrc-cmd command-line option (or netrc_cmd Python API parameter) is used, an attacker could achieve arbitrary command injection on the user's system with a maliciously crafted URL. yt-dlp maintainers assume the impact of this vulnerability to be high for anyone who uses --netrc-cmd in their command/configuration or netrc_cmd in their Python scripts. Even thoug
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- Exploit and PoC references, threat intelligence from 22 sources
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Severity by source
AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Primary rating from GitHub Advisory.
CVSS VectorGitHub Advisory
Lifecycle Timeline
3DescriptionGitHub Advisory
yt-dlp is a command-line audio/video downloader. Starting in version 2023.06.21 and prior to version 2026.02.21, when yt-dlp's --netrc-cmd command-line option (or netrc_cmd Python API parameter) is used, an attacker could achieve arbitrary command injection on the user's system with a maliciously crafted URL. yt-dlp maintainers assume the impact of this vulnerability to be high for anyone who uses --netrc-cmd in their command/configuration or netrc_cmd in their Python scripts. Even though the maliciously crafted URL itself will look very suspicious to many users, it would be trivial for a maliciously crafted webpage with an inconspicuous URL to covertly exploit this vulnerability via HTTP redirect. Users without --netrc-cmd in their arguments or netrc_cmd in their scripts are unaffected. No evidence has been found of this exploit being used in the wild. yt-dlp version 2026.02.21 fixes this issue by validating all netrc "machine" values and raising an error upon unexpected input. As a workaround, users who are unable to upgrade should avoid using the --netrc-cmd command-line option (or netrc_cmd Python API parameter), or they should at least not pass a placeholder ({}) in their --netrc-cmd argument.
Executive ViewAI
CVE-2026-26331 is a high-severity vulnerability (CVSS 8.8) affecting yt-dlp, a widely-used command-line download tool. With a public exploit available and a 0.7% exploitation rate, organizations using yt-dlp for legitimate purposes face immediate risk of compromise. Affected systems could experience unauthorized access, data exfiltration, or lateral movement if not patched promptly.
Apply vendor patch. Interim mitigations if patching is delayed: disable yt-dlp tool usage organization-wide; implement application whitelisting to prevent execution; segment network access for systems running yt-dlp; enable enhanced logging and monitoring for suspicious process behavior; restrict download functionality at the firewall/proxy level if tool is non-critical.
Threat Intelligence Overview
NVD
CVE.org
EPSS
How this decision was reached
The engine reads each signal below and applies a fixed list of rules from top to bottom. The first rule that matches sets the recommended action – like a statement, every line is shown.
What every action level means
SSVC AssessmentENISA
Priority Score
Attack Technique
OS command injection occurs when an application passes unsanitized user input directly into system shell commands.
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