Auth bypass in Apple macOS
CVE-2026-6406
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.
Vulnerability class: Broken Access Control
EPSS: 0.002 (11.2th percentile) — read the EPSS interpretation.
CVSS v3 metric
CVSS v3 base score 8.8 (High). Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H.
Affected products
Weakness classification (CWE)
References
- security@docker.com (release-notes, Release Notes)
- security@docker.com (Third Party Advisory, third-party-advisory)
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2026-6406?
- CVE-2026-6406 is a high-severity vulnerability in Apple macOS, classified under Incorrect Authorization. CVSS score: 8.8/10. Published 2026-05-22.
- How severe is CVE-2026-6406?
- High severity. CVSS v3 base score is 8.8 out of 10.