Docker is warning that Docker Desktop is not starting on macOS due to malware warnings after some files were signed with an incorrect code-signing cer

Docker Desktop blocked on Macs due to false malware alert

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2025-01-11 10:00:04

Docker is warning that Docker Desktop is not starting on macOS due to malware warnings after some files were signed with an incorrect code-signing certificate.

The first reports of the malware alerts surfaced on January 7, 2025, when macOS users received an unexpected 'Malware Blocked' message preventing them from opening the Docker containers management app.

"Malware Blocked. "com.docker.vmnetd" was not opened because it contains malware. This action did not harm your Mac," reads the alert on Macs.

The vendor clarified that the warnings are false and users should disregard them. However, manual action needs to be taken to resolve the operational problems, which, as of writing, remain ongoing.

"We want to inform you about a new issue affecting Docker Desktop for some macOS users. This causes Docker Desktop to not start," explained Docker in a GitHub issue.

The root cause of these inaccurate malware messages is an incorrect code-signing signature used on some files in existing installations, likely causing a failure in file integrity checks.