Docker Engine classifies a registry hostname as insecure using an any-match DNS check. loadInsecureRegistries() injects 127.0.0.0/8 and ::1/128 as insecure CIDRs by default. isCIDRMatch resolves all of the hostname's addresses and returns true if a single address is in the insecure CIDR list. Because the transport re-dials the hostname rather than the CIDR-matching address, a DNS answer set of one loopback IP plus a non-loopback attacker IP disables certificate verification and enables HTTP fallback for the registry connection.
Attack Parameters
Attack Vector
Network
Can be exploited remotely
Attack Complexity
High
Difficult to exploit
Attack Requirements
Present
Additional conditions required
Privileges Required
None
No privileges needed
User Interaction
Passive
Minimal interaction
Impact Assessment
Confidentiality
High
Complete data leak
Integrity
High
Complete data modification
Availability
None
No disruption
CVSS Vector v4.0
Weakness Type (CWE)
Vulnerable Products
docker:docker engine
moby:moby