yt-dlp up to 2025.06.25 on Windows Command Line --exec os command injection

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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7.5$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in yt-dlp up to 2025.06.25 on Windows. This affects an unknown function of the component Command Line Handler. Performing a manipulation of the argument --exec results in os command injection. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2025-54072. Remote exploitation of the attack is possible. No exploit is available. It is advisable to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in yt-dlp up to 2025.06.25 on Windows. This affects an unknown functionality of the component Command Line Handler. The manipulation of the argument --exec with an unknown input leads to a os command injection vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-78. The product constructs all or part of an OS command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended OS command when it is sent to a downstream component. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

yt-dlp is a feature-rich command-line audio/video downloader. In versions 2025.06.25 and below, when the --exec option is used on Windows with the default placeholder (or {}), insufficient sanitization is applied to the expanded filepath, allowing for remote code execution. This is a bypass of the mitigation for CVE-2024-22423 where the default placeholder and {} were not covered by the new escaping rules. Windows users who are unable to upgrade should avoid using --exec altogether. Instead, the --write-info-json or --dump-json options could be used, with an external script or command line consuming the JSON output. This is fixed in version 2025.07.21.

The advisory is shared at github.com. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2025-54072 since 07/16/2025. The exploitability is told to be easy. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. No form of authentication is needed for exploitation. Technical details are known, but no exploit is available. MITRE ATT&CK project uses the attack technique T1202 for this issue.

Upgrading to version 2025.07.21 eliminates this vulnerability. The upgrade is hosted for download at github.com. Applying the patch 959ac99e98c3215437e573c22d64be42d361e863 is able to eliminate this problem. The bugfix is ready for download at github.com. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at EUVD (EUVD-2025-22381). If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.

Productinfo

Type

Name

Version

License

Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 7.6
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 7.5

VulDB Base Score: 7.3
VulDB Temp Score: 7.0
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 8.1
NVD Vector: 🔒

CNA Base Score: 7.5
CNA Vector (GitHub_M): 🔒

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔒
VulDB Temp Score: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Os command injection
CWE: CWE-78 / CWE-77 / CWE-74
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔒
EPSS Percentile: 🔒

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒

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Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: yt-dlp 2025.07.21
Patch: 959ac99e98c3215437e573c22d64be42d361e863

Timelineinfo

07/16/2025 CVE reserved
07/23/2025 +7 days Advisory disclosed
07/23/2025 +0 days VulDB entry created
10/09/2025 +78 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Product: github.com

Advisory: GHSA-45hg-7f49-5h56
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2025-54072 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2025-54072
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-317325
EUVD: 🔒

Entryinfo

Created: 07/23/2025 08:12
Updated: 10/09/2025 18:29
Changes: 07/23/2025 08:12 (70), 07/23/2025 21:40 (1), 10/09/2025 18:29 (12)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.

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