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.
References
| Link | Resource |
|---|---|
| https://docs.docker.com/desktop/release-notes/#4590 | Release Notes |
| https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-26-299/ | Third Party Advisory |
Configurations
Configuration 1 (hide)
| AND |
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History
29 May 2026, 19:02
| Type | Values Removed | Values Added |
|---|---|---|
| First Time |
Linux linux Kernel
Microsoft windows Docker Docker docker Desktop Linux Microsoft Apple Apple macos |
|
| CPE | cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* cpe:2.3:a:docker:docker_desktop:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* cpe:2.3:o:apple:macos:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* |
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| References | () https://docs.docker.com/desktop/release-notes/#4590 - Release Notes | |
| References | () https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-26-299/ - Third Party Advisory |
22 May 2026, 20:31
| Type | Values Removed | Values Added |
|---|---|---|
| New CVE |
Information
Published : 2026-05-22 19:17
Updated : 2026-05-29 19:02
NVD link : CVE-2026-6406
Mitre link : CVE-2026-6406
CVE.ORG link : CVE-2026-6406
JSON object : View
Products Affected
microsoft
- windows
docker
- docker_desktop
apple
- macos
linux
- linux_kernel
CWE
CWE-863
Incorrect Authorization