CVE-2025-10657 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting Docker Desktop version 4.46.0, specifically when Enhanced Container Isolation (ECI) is enabled alongside the Docker socket command restrictions feature. Docker's ECI is designed to harden container environments by restricting the commands that containers with mounted Docker sockets can execute, thereby limiting the potential for privilege escalation or unauthorized Docker command execution. However, due to a software bug, the command restrictions configuration is ignored when passed to ECI. This flaw allows containers explicitly permitted by an administrator to mount the Docker socket to execute any Docker command without restriction, effectively bypassing the intended security controls. Since ECI by default restricts mounting the Docker socket, the vulnerability only impacts containers where administrators have explicitly allowed socket mounting, but in those cases, the unrestricted command execution grants excessive privileges. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-269 (Improper Privilege Management), indicating a failure to properly enforce access controls. The CVSS 4.0 score of 8.7 reflects a high severity, with the vector indicating local attack vector, low attack complexity, partial privileges required, no user interaction, and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. No known exploits are currently in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet. This vulnerability could allow an attacker with local access and partial privileges to escalate privileges significantly by executing powerful Docker commands, potentially leading to container escape, host compromise, or lateral movement within an environment.

For European organizations leveraging Docker Desktop 4.46.0 with ECI enabled and Docker socket command restrictions configured, this vulnerability poses a significant risk. The ability to bypass command restrictions and execute arbitrary Docker commands can lead to unauthorized container and host system control, risking data confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Organizations using Docker Desktop for development, testing, or production workloads may face container escapes, unauthorized access to sensitive data, or disruption of critical services. Given the prevalence of containerized applications in European enterprises, especially in sectors like finance, healthcare, and critical infrastructure, exploitation could result in regulatory non-compliance (e.g., GDPR violations), financial losses, and reputational damage. The requirement for local access and partial privileges somewhat limits remote exploitation but insider threats or compromised developer machines could be leveraged. The lack of user interaction needed increases the risk of automated or scripted exploitation once access is gained. The vulnerability's impact is compounded in environments where Docker socket mounting is permitted for operational reasons, making strict administrative controls essential.

European organizations should take immediate steps to mitigate this vulnerability beyond generic patching advice: 1) Audit all Docker Desktop 4.46.0 installations to identify those with ECI enabled and Docker socket command restrictions configured. 2) Temporarily disable Docker socket mounting in containers unless absolutely necessary, as ECI restricts this by default. 3) Where socket mounting is required, enforce strict administrative policies and monitor command execution closely using Docker audit logs and runtime security tools. 4) Implement strict access controls to limit who can enable ECI and configure command restrictions to reduce risk of misconfiguration. 5) Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to detect anomalous Docker command activity indicative of exploitation attempts. 6) Prepare for patch deployment as soon as Docker releases a fix, and test patches in staging environments to ensure no regression in ECI functionality. 7) Educate developers and administrators about the risks of mounting Docker sockets and the importance of least privilege principles in containerized environments. 8) Consider network segmentation and container isolation strategies to limit the blast radius if exploitation occurs.