CVE-2025-13743 identifies a vulnerability in Docker Desktop version 4.51.0 related to the improper handling of sensitive information in diagnostic logs. Specifically, expired Docker Hub Personal Access Tokens (PATs) are included in diagnostic bundles due to error object serialization during the creation of diagnostic logs. When an access denied error occurs, the error object serialization process inadvertently captures and logs these expired tokens. Although the tokens are expired and cannot be used for authentication, their inclusion in logs represents a leakage of sensitive information, which could potentially aid attackers in reconnaissance or social engineering attacks. The vulnerability requires local access with limited privileges (AV:L) and some user interaction (UI:P) to export the diagnostics. The CVSS 4.0 base score is 2.4, indicating a low severity primarily due to the limited impact on confidentiality and the requirement for local access and user interaction. There are no known exploits in the wild, and no patches have been published at the time of analysis. The vulnerability falls under CWE-532, which concerns the insertion of sensitive information into log files, a common issue that can lead to unintended data exposure. Organizations using Docker Desktop should be aware of this risk when exporting diagnostic logs, especially in environments where logs might be shared with third parties or stored in less secure locations.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-13743 is the potential leakage of sensitive authentication tokens through diagnostic logs. While the tokens are expired and cannot be directly used for authentication, their exposure could facilitate indirect attacks such as social engineering or targeted phishing campaigns by revealing internal token management practices or user identifiers. Organizations with strict data protection regulations, such as GDPR, may face compliance risks if sensitive information is inadvertently disclosed. The vulnerability requires local access and user interaction, limiting remote exploitation risks but increasing concerns in environments with multiple users or shared workstations. The impact on system integrity and availability is negligible. However, the confidentiality breach, even if limited, can undermine trust and complicate incident response if diagnostic logs are mishandled. European enterprises heavily reliant on containerization and Docker Desktop for development or production workflows should consider this vulnerability in their security posture, particularly when sharing diagnostic data with external support or third-party vendors.

To mitigate CVE-2025-13743, European organizations should implement the following specific measures: 1) Avoid exporting or sharing Docker Desktop diagnostic bundles containing sensitive information unless absolutely necessary and ensure they are transmitted securely and only to trusted recipients. 2) Restrict access to diagnostic logs on local machines by enforcing strict file permissions and access controls to prevent unauthorized users from viewing sensitive data. 3) Educate users about the risks of exporting diagnostic data and establish clear policies governing when and how diagnostics should be shared. 4) Monitor Docker Desktop updates closely and apply patches promptly once available to address this vulnerability. 5) Consider using container security tools that can scan logs for sensitive information before sharing. 6) Implement internal auditing to track diagnostic exports and access to logs. 7) If possible, disable or limit diagnostic data collection features in environments where sensitive information leakage poses a high risk. These targeted actions go beyond generic advice by focusing on operational controls around diagnostic data handling and user awareness.