CVE-2026-6406

Docker Desktop Enhanced Container Isolation bypass via --use-api-socket CLI flag

Published May 22, 2026 CVSS 4.0 · 8.8 High EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
The Docker CLI --use-api-socket flag bypasses Enhanced Container Isolation (ECI) restrictions in Docker Desktop. When ECI is enabled, Docker socket mounts from containers are denied unless explicitly allowed via the admin-settings configuration. However, the --use-api-socket flag adds the Docker socket mount via the HostConfig.Mounts field rather than the HostConfig.Binds field. The ECI enforcement in the Docker Desktop API proxy only inspected Binds, allowing the mount to pass unchecked. This grants a container full access to the Docker Engine socket and, if the host user has logged in to container registries, their authentication credentials.

A local attacker with the ability to run Docker CLI commands can exploit this to escape ECI restrictions, access the Docker Engine, and potentially escalate privileges.

Remediation

Vendor Workaround

Upgrade to Docker Desktop 4.59.0 or later. As a workaround, restrict which users can execute Docker CLI commands on the host.

Tracking

Sign in to view the affected projects.

Advisories

No advisories available
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Apple
Apple macos
Linux
Linux linux Kernel
Microsoft
Microsoft windows
CPEs cpe:2.3:a:docker:docker_desktop:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:macos:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Vendors & Products Apple
Apple macos
Linux
Linux linux Kernel
Microsoft
Microsoft windows
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'total'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Docker
Docker docker Desktop
Vendors & Products Docker
Docker docker Desktop
Type Values Removed Values Added
Description The Docker CLI --use-api-socket flag bypasses Enhanced Container Isolation (ECI) restrictions in Docker Desktop. When ECI is enabled, Docker socket mounts from containers are denied unless explicitly allowed via the admin-settings configuration. However, the --use-api-socket flag adds the Docker socket mount via the HostConfig.Mounts field rather than the HostConfig.Binds field. The ECI enforcement in the Docker Desktop API proxy only inspected Binds, allowing the mount to pass unchecked. This grants a container full access to the Docker Engine socket and, if the host user has logged in to container registries, their authentication credentials. A local attacker with the ability to run Docker CLI commands can exploit this to escape ECI restrictions, access the Docker Engine, and potentially escalate privileges.
Title Docker Desktop Enhanced Container Isolation bypass via --use-api-socket CLI flag
Weaknesses CWE-863
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 8.8, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H'}

cvssV4_0

{'score': 8.8, 'vector': 'CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:H/SI:H/SA:H'}

Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
Docker
Published
Updated
May 23, 2026, 3:56 AM
Reserved
Apr 15, 2026, 9:42 PM
Status
Analyzed
Published
May 22, 2026, 7:17 PM
Modified
Jul 23, 2026, 4:10 PM