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CVE-2026-6406

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

Published: May 22, 2026Updated: May 29, 2026 Sources: CVE List NVDCWE-863

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.

CVSS Vector Breakdown

AV:LAC:LPR:LUI:NS:CC:HI:HA:H
Exploitability
AV:LAttack Vector
Local
AC:LAttack Complexity
Low
PR:LPrivileges Required
Low
UI:NUser Interaction
None
Scope
S:CScope
Changed
Impact
C:HConfidentiality
High
I:HIntegrity
High
A:HAvailability
High

Weaknesses

Affected Products

dockercommercialUSCloud & SaaS

Attack Graph

Products CVE Techniques Tactics

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Exploitability

Workaround Available

MITRE ATT&CK

2 techniques
Initial Access
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References

Timeline

Published
May 22, 2026
Last Updated
May 29, 2026

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