IRONSMITHINTEL
HIGHCVSS7.8
|
Actively Exploited
|CISA KEV|CVE-2019-15752|Auth: none — unauthenticated|Reboot: required|Manual only

Docker Desktop Community Edition Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

Docker Desktop Community Edition contains a vulnerability that may allow local users to escalate privileges by placing a trojan horse docker-credential-wincred.exe file in %PROGRAMDATA%\DockerDesktop\version-bin\.

Published Aug 28, 2019 · Updated May 16, 2026
Why patchRisk explained in plain English
Worst-case scenarioIf unpatched

A local attacker, without authentication, can achieve full data confidentiality loss, arbitrary modification of data, complete denial of service or system unavailability. Federal agencies are required to remediate by 2022-05-03 under CISA BOD 22-01.

How the attack worksNo clicks needed

This is a Incorrect Permission Assignment (CWE-732) vulnerability in Docker Desktop Community Edition. Exploitation requires local access, low attack complexity, no authentication required, and user interaction required.

Am I affected?Quick check

Probably yes if any of these apply:

IT Security
Running docker: v < 2.1.0.1; geode: 1.12.0
Real-world incidentsWhat we've seen

Active exploitation documented in the wild. Threat-research write-up: http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/157404/Docker-Credential-Wincred.exe-Privilege-Escalation.html

How to patch

Manual remediation steps

Apply the Vendor Patch

This vulnerability is in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog — apply the vendor's security update as soon as possible.

CISA required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.

References

    1
    NVD entry: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2019-15752
    1
    CISA KEV: https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2019-15752
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