Docker Patches Critical ‘DockerDash’ Vulnerability in Ask Gordon AI
In November 2025, Docker addressed a critical security vulnerability, codenamed DockerDash, affecting its AI assistant, Ask Gordon. This flaw, identified by cybersecurity firm Noma Labs, allowed attackers to execute arbitrary code and exfiltrate sensitive data through manipulated Docker image metadata.
Understanding the ‘DockerDash’ Vulnerability
Ask Gordon, integrated into Docker Desktop and the Docker Command-Line Interface (CLI), assists users by interpreting and processing Docker-related queries. The vulnerability exploited the AI’s handling of Docker image metadata, specifically the LABEL fields in Dockerfiles. By embedding malicious instructions within these labels, attackers could initiate a three-stage attack:
1. Metadata Manipulation: An attacker crafts a Docker image with malicious LABEL instructions.
2. AI Interpretation: Ask Gordon reads and interprets these labels without validation.
3. Execution via MCP Gateway: The AI forwards the instructions to the Model Context Protocol (MCP) Gateway, which executes them using MCP tools.
This sequence occurs without validation at each stage, exploiting the trust between components and leading to potential remote code execution or data exfiltration.
Technical Breakdown of the Exploit
The core issue lies in Ask Gordon’s treatment of unverified metadata as executable commands. When a user queries the AI about a Docker image, it processes all metadata, including LABEL fields. If these fields contain malicious instructions, the AI forwards them to the MCP Gateway, which, lacking proper validation, executes them.
This vulnerability, termed Meta-Context Injection, arises from the AI’s inability to distinguish between informational metadata and executable instructions. Consequently, attackers can hijack the AI’s reasoning process by embedding harmful commands within metadata fields.
Potential Impact and Attack Scenarios
Exploiting this vulnerability could have severe consequences:
– Remote Code Execution: Attackers could execute arbitrary code on cloud and CLI systems, compromising the entire Docker environment.
– Data Exfiltration: On Docker Desktop applications, attackers could access and extract sensitive internal data, including details about installed tools, container configurations, and network topology.
A hypothetical attack scenario involves an attacker publishing a Docker image with malicious LABEL instructions. When a user queries Ask Gordon about this image, the AI processes the metadata, forwards the embedded instructions to the MCP Gateway, which then executes them, leading to system compromise.
Docker’s Response and Mitigation Measures
Upon discovery, Docker promptly addressed the vulnerability by releasing version 4.50.0 in November 2025. This update includes enhanced validation mechanisms to prevent the AI from processing unverified metadata as executable commands.
Users are strongly advised to update to the latest version to mitigate potential risks. Additionally, implementing zero-trust validation on all contextual data provided to AI models is recommended to prevent similar vulnerabilities.
Broader Implications for AI and Container Security
The ‘DockerDash’ vulnerability underscores the importance of securing AI components within software environments. As AI integrations become more prevalent, ensuring robust validation and trust mechanisms is crucial to prevent exploitation.
Organizations should adopt comprehensive security practices, including regular updates, thorough validation of AI inputs, and continuous monitoring for unusual activities.
Conclusion
The swift identification and remediation of the ‘DockerDash’ vulnerability highlight the collaborative efforts between cybersecurity researchers and software developers. By staying vigilant and proactive, the tech community can address emerging threats and maintain secure environments for users worldwide.
