CVE-2025-9074 is a critical vulnerability affecting Docker Desktop version 4.25, categorized under CWE-668 (Exposure of Resource to Wrong Sphere). This flaw allows local Linux containers running within Docker Desktop to access the Docker Engine API through the default Docker subnet IP 192.168.65.7 on port 2375. Notably, this access is possible regardless of whether Enhanced Container Isolation (ECI) is enabled or the "Expose daemon on tcp://localhost:2375 without TLS" option is configured. The Docker Engine API is a powerful interface that controls container lifecycle operations, image management, and other privileged Docker functions. Exploiting this vulnerability enables an attacker with access to a container to execute privileged commands against the Docker daemon, including creating, modifying, or deleting containers and images. In environments such as Docker Desktop for Windows using the WSL backend, the vulnerability further permits mounting the host filesystem with the same privileges as the user running Docker Desktop, significantly increasing the risk of host compromise. The vulnerability has a CVSS 4.0 base score of 9.3, reflecting its critical severity due to high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, combined with relatively low attack complexity and no required privileges or authentication. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the potential for abuse is substantial given the widespread use of Docker Desktop in development and production environments. The vulnerability arises from improper resource isolation, allowing containers to interact with the Docker daemon in unintended ways, breaking the expected security boundaries between containers and the host system.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-9074 can be severe. Docker Desktop is widely used by developers and IT teams across Europe for containerized application development and testing. Exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized control over Docker containers and the host system, enabling attackers to escalate privileges, deploy malicious containers, exfiltrate sensitive data, or disrupt services. In regulated industries such as finance, healthcare, and critical infrastructure, such unauthorized access could violate compliance requirements (e.g., GDPR, NIS Directive) and cause significant operational and reputational damage. The ability to mount host drives with user-level privileges on Windows systems further increases the risk of lateral movement and persistent compromise within corporate networks. Additionally, organizations relying on Docker Desktop for continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines may face supply chain risks if attackers manipulate container images or deployment processes. The vulnerability's presence in a popular developer tool means that even non-production environments could become entry points for attackers targeting broader enterprise infrastructure.

To mitigate CVE-2025-9074, European organizations should take the following specific actions: 1) Immediately update Docker Desktop to a patched version once available from the vendor, as no patch links are currently provided but should be prioritized upon release. 2) Restrict network access to the Docker Engine API by configuring firewall rules or network policies to block access to 192.168.65.7:2375 from containers and untrusted sources. 3) Disable any settings that expose the Docker daemon over TCP without TLS, even if the vulnerability occurs independently of this setting, to reduce attack surface. 4) Implement strict container isolation policies and avoid running untrusted or unnecessary containers on developer machines. 5) For Windows environments using WSL backend, review and limit permissions related to host drive mounting and consider using alternative container runtimes or hardened configurations. 6) Monitor Docker daemon logs and network traffic for unusual API calls or container behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. 7) Educate developers and IT staff about the risks of running privileged containers and the importance of applying security updates promptly. 8) Consider deploying runtime security tools that can detect and block unauthorized Docker API usage. These measures go beyond generic advice by focusing on network-level restrictions, configuration hardening, and operational monitoring tailored to the specifics of this vulnerability.