CVE-2026-24845·Docker vulnerability
malcontent discovers supply-chain compromises through. context, differential analysis, and YARA. Starting in version 0.10.0 and prior to version 1.20.3, malcontent could be made to expose Docker registry credentials if it scanned a specially crafted OCI image reference. malcontent uses google/go-containerregistry for OCI image pulls, which by default uses the Docker credential keychain. A malicious registry could return a `WWW-Authenticate` header redirecting token authentication to an attacker-controlled endpoint, causing credentials to be sent to that endpoint. Version 1.20.3 fixes the issue by defaulting to anonymous auth for OCI pulls.
- Severity
- medium
- Software
- Docker
- Fixed in
- 1.20.3
- Published
How likely is exploitation
FIRST's Exploit Prediction Scoring System puts the probability of this CVE being exploited in the next 30 days at 0.34% — higher than 25% of all published CVEs. EPSS is an independent forecast of exploitation, not a severity rating: it says nothing about how much damage a successful attack does, which is what a CVSS score measures.
Affected versions
From: 0.1.0
Until: 1.20.3
Fixed in: 1.20.3
How to fix this CVE
Update Docker to version 1.20.3 or later to remediate the credential exposure vulnerability in the OCI image scanning process. The vulnerability allows malicious registries to intercept Docker credentials through manipulated authentication headers. After updating, verify the new version is running and restart any dependent services that rely on Docker authentication.
sudo dnf update docker-ce --assumeyesDefensia detects this vulnerability
How to check if you are affected
- Run 'docker --version' and verify the installed version is below 1.20.3; affected versions range from 0.10.0 to 1.20.2
- Check if OCI image scanning or malcontent is enabled in your Docker environment with 'docker ps -a | grep malcontent'
- Search system logs for failed or unexpected authentication attempts to external registries: 'grep -i "authentication\|registry" /var/log/docker.log | head -20'
- After patching, confirm the new version with 'docker --version' and verify no lingering credentials are cached in ~/.docker/config.json
FAQ
What is CVE-2026-24845?
This vulnerability allows malicious OCI image registries to redirect Docker credential authentication requests to attacker-controlled servers, potentially exposing stored registry credentials. The flaw exists in how Docker handles WWW-Authenticate header redirects during image pulls.
Is CVE-2026-24845 being actively exploited?
No, this vulnerability is not currently listed on the CISA KEV catalog and no public exploits are available, but the medium severity (CVSS 6.5) and credential exposure risk warrant prompt patching.
What versions of Docker are affected by CVE-2026-24845?
Docker versions 0.10.0 through 1.20.2 are vulnerable; version 1.20.3 and later include the fix.
How do I check if my server is vulnerable to CVE-2026-24845?
Run 'docker --version' and compare the output to 1.20.3; if your version is lower, you are affected. You can also check 'docker inspect' on running containers to identify if OCI image scanning is in use.
Does Defensia detect CVE-2026-24845?
Yes — Defensia's CVE advisory scanner compares installed package versions against the NVD database. If Docker is installed on a monitored server, CVE-2026-24845 will appear in your dashboard with remediation steps.
Related Docker CVEs
References
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