- Some Docker Desktop users on Mac are unable to open their application
- A fake malware warning appears on startup
- Users can fix the issue with a patch, so download now
Docker has confirmed that some versions of its Docker Desktop software are not starting or working properly as a result of a false malware warning.
Posting to GitHub, Senior Principal Engineer Christian Dupuis shared a screenshot of the pop-up, which reads: “com.docker.vmnetd could not be opened because it contains malware.”
Dupuis confirmed that users seeing this message are likely not affected by malware, where the cause of the problem has already been identified and a fix is on the way.
Docker Desktop malware warning
“The reason for this warning is that some files in existing installations are incorrectly signed,” the post added.
Described as a “one-click installer for your Mac, Linux, or Windows environment that lets you build, share, and run containerized applications and microservices,” Docker Desktop needs to be updated to fix the issue.
Version 4.37.2 is the latest release at the time of writing, which promises to fix the problem. Docker says users should upgrade through the app where possible, but a set of instructions is available for those unable to bypass the malware warning message.
A separate patch is available for version 4.32 – 4.36. Version 4.28 and earlier are unaffected by the bug.
Regarding version 4.37.2, Dupuis said: “This version prevents installations from entering the error state. Please update to this version as soon as possible to prevent future problems.”
A recently updated status page confirms that Docker Desktop is still experiencing partial service disruption.
“We know how critical Docker Desktop is to your workflow and are committed to ensuring a smooth resolution,” added Director of Engineering Chris Crone.
“A temporary fix that will restore functionality is available for all affected users… Our team is prioritizing this issue and working diligently on a permanent fix. If you’d prefer to wait for the longer-term patch update, please refrain from (re)launching Docker Desktop.”
