CVE-2023-0625
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability in Docker Desktop allows remote code execution (RCE) when a malicious extension description or changelog is processed. Attackers can exploit this to run arbitrary code on the host system. It affects all Docker Desktop users running versions before 4.12.0.
💻 Affected Systems
- Docker Desktop
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Full system compromise with attacker gaining root/administrator privileges, enabling data theft, ransomware deployment, or lateral movement across networks.
Likely Case
Local privilege escalation or execution of malicious payloads via crafted extensions, potentially leading to data exfiltration or persistence mechanisms.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if extensions are restricted to trusted sources and network segmentation is enforced, though risk remains if vulnerable software is present.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires user interaction, such as installing a malicious extension, but no authentication is needed to trigger the vulnerability.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 4.12.0
Vendor Advisory: https://docs.docker.com/desktop/release-notes/#4120
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Open Docker Desktop. 2. Go to Settings > Software Updates. 3. Check for updates and install version 4.12.0 or later. 4. Restart Docker Desktop after installation.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Extension Installation
allPrevent installation of new extensions to block potential malicious payloads.
docker extension disable <extension-name>
docker extension rm <extension-name>
Restrict Extension Sources
allOnly allow extensions from trusted, verified repositories.
Configure Docker Desktop settings to whitelist specific extension sources.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Isolate Docker Desktop instances on segmented networks to limit lateral movement.
- Implement strict access controls and monitor for unusual extension activity or process execution.
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Docker Desktop version; if it is below 4.12.0, the system is vulnerable.Check Version:
docker version --format '{{.Client.Version}}'Verify Fix Applied:
Confirm Docker Desktop version is 4.12.0 or higher after update.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual extension installation logs
- Suspicious process execution from Docker Desktop
Network Indicators:
- Unexpected outbound connections from Docker Desktop to external IPs
SIEM Query:
source="docker-desktop" AND (event="extension_install" OR event="process_start")