Vulnerability · Published Oct 27, 2025 · Assigned by Docker
CVE-2025-9164Multiple DLL Search Order Hijacking Vulnerabilities in Docker Desktop Installer for Windows
High 8.8
In plain English
A high-severity uncontrolled search path in Docker Desktop from Docker. There are no confirmed reports of exploitation so far. The chance it is exploited in the next 30 days is estimated at 0.1% (higher than 1% of all known vulnerabilities).
Severity (CVSS 4.0)8.8High
Exploit odds (30 days)0.1%top 98.7% of all CVEs
Exploited in the wildNo reportsCISA SSVC: none
Attack toolingNoneno public tooling known
Official description
Docker Desktop Installer.exe is vulnerable to DLL hijacking due to insecure DLL search order. The installer searches for required DLLs in the user's Downloads folder before checking system directories, allowing local privilege escalation through malicious DLL placement.This issue affects Docker Desktop: through 4.48.0.
Affected products (as reported)
| Vendor | Product | Versions |
|---|---|---|
| Docker | Docker Desktop | 0 – through 4.48.0 |
Weakness: CWE-427 · Vector: CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:H/AT:P/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:H/SI:H/SA:H/S:P/AU:Y/R:U/V:C