Common Docker Security Threats and Attack Vectors

Common Docker Security Threats and Attack Vectors

Container escape remains one of the most serious security threats in Docker environments. Attackers achieving container escape can access the host system and other containers, potentially compromising the entire infrastructure. Escape techniques exploit kernel vulnerabilities, misconfigured capabilities, or privileged containers. Real-world exploits like CVE-2019-5736 (runC container escape) demonstrate the severity of these vulnerabilities and the importance of rapid patching.

Supply chain attacks target the container build and distribution pipeline. Attackers inject malicious code into base images, compromise container registries, or modify images during the build process. The SolarWinds attack highlighted supply chain vulnerabilities, and similar techniques apply to container environments. Organizations pulling images from public registries without verification risk incorporating compromised components into their applications.

Secrets management presents ongoing challenges in containerized environments. Developers often embed API keys, passwords, and certificates directly in container images or environment variables. These secrets become accessible to anyone with image access and persist in registry storage. Attackers scanning public registries regularly discover exposed credentials, leading to cloud account compromises and data breaches. Even private registries require careful access control to prevent unauthorized secret access.