CVE-2024-8696 in Docker
Summary
by MITRE • 09/12/2024
A remote code execution (RCE) vulnerability via crafted extension publisher-url/additional-urls could be abused by a malicious extension in Docker Desktop before 4.34.2.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/14/2024
This vulnerability exists within Docker Desktop software where a malicious extension could exploit a flaw in how publisher URLs and additional URLs are processed during extension installation. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of URL inputs in the extension management system, allowing crafted malicious URLs to be interpreted as executable commands. This represents a critical security flaw that could enable remote code execution on systems running vulnerable versions of Docker Desktop.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when Docker Desktop processes extension metadata containing specially crafted URLs in the publisher-url or additional-urls fields. These fields are typically used to specify where extension resources can be downloaded from or additional endpoints the extension might interact with. The flaw arises from improper input sanitization and validation, allowing attackers to inject malicious payloads that get executed in the context of the Docker Desktop process. This type of vulnerability is classified as a command injection issue under CWE-77 and falls under the broader category of insecure input handling.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on systems where Docker Desktop is installed without requiring local system access or elevated privileges. An attacker could craft a malicious extension package that, when installed by a user, would trigger the execution of malicious commands on the host system. This could lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or lateral movement within a network. The vulnerability affects all versions of Docker Desktop prior to 4.34.2, making it particularly dangerous given the widespread use of Docker Desktop in development environments and production systems.
Organizations should immediately upgrade to Docker Desktop version 4.34.2 or later to remediate this vulnerability. Additionally, system administrators should implement strict extension management policies that only allow installation from trusted sources and conduct regular security audits of installed extensions. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious extension installation activities and unusual network connections. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation in web applications and extension systems, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1106 for execution through legitimate user interfaces and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage. Security teams should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of unauthorized binaries and monitor for suspicious URL patterns in extension metadata.