Docker Desktop < 4.64.0 CLI Plugin Directory Privilege Escalation (CVE-2025-15558)

high Nessus Plugin ID 301978

Synopsis

The remote Windows host has an application installed that is affected by a privilege escalation vulnerability.

Description

The version of Docker Desktop for Windows installed on the remote host is 4.34.x < 4.64.0. It is, therefore, affected by a privilege escalation vulnerability.

- Docker CLI for Windows searches for plugin binaries in C:\ProgramData\Docker\cli-plugins, a directory that does not exist by default. A low-privileged attacker can create this directory and place malicious CLI plugin binaries (docker-compose.exe, docker-buildx.exe, etc.) that are executed when a victim user opens Docker Desktop or invokes Docker CLI plugin features, allowing privilege escalation if the docker CLI is executed as a privileged user.

Note that Nessus has not tested for this issue but has instead relied only on the application's self-reported version number.

Solution

Upgrade to Docker Desktop version 4.64.0 or later.

Plugin Details

Severity: High

ID: 301978

File Name: docker_desktop_cve-2025-15558.nasl

Version: 1.1

Type: local

Agent: windows

Family: Misc.

Published: 3/12/2026

Updated: 3/12/2026

Supported Sensors: Nessus Agent, Nessus

Risk Information

VPR

Risk Factor: Medium

Score: 6.7

CVSS v2

Risk Factor: Medium

Base Score: 6.8

Vector: CVSS2#AV:L/AC:L/Au:S/C:C/I:C/A:C

CVSS Score Source: CVE-2025-15558

CVSS v3

Risk Factor: High

Base Score: 7.3

Vector: CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Vulnerability Information

CPE: cpe:/a:docker:docker

Required KB Items: SMB/Registry/Enumerated, installed_sw/Docker for Windows

Patch Publication Date: 3/11/2026

Vulnerability Publication Date: 3/11/2026

Reference Information

CVE: CVE-2025-15558

Detections

Analytics