CVE-2025-62725 is a high-severity vulnerability identified in Docker Compose, with a CVSS score of 8.9. This vulnerability allows attackers to exploit the path information embedded in remote OCI compose artifacts. In situations where a layer includes specific annotations, Docker Compose combines an attacker-supplied value with its local cache directory, leading to potential overwrites of arbitrary files on the machine where Docker Compose is executed. This vulnerability affects various platforms and workflows, including Docker Desktop, standalone Compose binaries on Linux, CI/CD runners, and cloud development environments.
The exploitation status of this vulnerability is currently unknown, but the impact it poses is significant. Even read-only commands such as 'docker compose config' or 'docker compose ps' can trigger this vulnerability. Therefore, organizations that utilize Docker Compose should prioritize patching immediately to mitigate the associated risks.
The vulnerability was published on October 27, 2025, and is marked as awaiting analysis. The urgency for defenders is high, and immediate action is recommended to prevent potential file overwrites.
The issue has been addressed in version 2.40.2 of Docker Compose, and organizations are advised to update their installations accordingly.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability description states that Docker Compose trusts the path information embedded in remote OCI compose artifacts. When certain annotations are present, Compose improperly handles the attacker-supplied values, resulting in file write operations that could lead to arbitrary file overwrites.
This vulnerability is classified under CWE-22, which denotes improper restriction of a pathname to a restricted directory. The official CVSS score of 8.9 indicates a high severity level, with significant impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of the vulnerability arises from Docker Compose's reliance on user-supplied path information. The attack vector is network-based, and the complexity of the attack is low, requiring active user interaction. Notably, no privileges are required to exploit this vulnerability.
The vulnerability significantly impacts the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected systems. Attackers may leverage this weakness to overwrite critical files, potentially leading to system instability or data loss.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Risk to organizations includes unauthorized access to sensitive files and potential disruption of services due to file corruption. The vulnerability's high CVSS score indicates a significant risk profile that organizations cannot afford to ignore. The blast radius of this vulnerability is considerable, given the variety of environments where Docker Compose is utilized.
Organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle to prevent exploitation, especially in environments that rely on Docker Compose for managing OCI compose artifacts.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The vulnerability affects all versions of Docker Compose prior to version 2.40.2. Organizations using affected versions should consider upgrading to the fixed version to mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability.
Mitigation & Remediation
To remediate the vulnerabilities, organizations should upgrade to Docker Compose version 2.40.2 or later. If an immediate upgrade is not possible, organizations should implement strict access controls and monitor for unauthorized file changes as a temporary workaround. Additionally, configuration hardening and network controls should be employed to limit exposure.
For further guidance, organizations can refer to resources on penetration testing and continuous monitoring to ensure the security of their systems.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for any unauthorized file operations or changes within the Docker cache directory. Additionally, behavioral anomalies, such as unexpected file modifications during Docker Compose operations, should be flagged for further investigation.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2025-62725 lies in the lessons it provides about the importance of validating user inputs and handling path information securely. This vulnerability highlights a trend in vulnerabilities associated with mismanaged input validation, a recurring issue in many software systems.
Security teams should apply these lessons to improve their defensive strategies, ensuring robust validation mechanisms are in place to prevent similar vulnerabilities from arising in the future.
For additional best practices and insights, organizations may refer to relevant resources such as the security testing best practices and the penetration testing methodology guide to enhance their security posture.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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