How to Prevent AI from Modifying Your Dockerfile

SafeClaw by Authensor blocks AI agents from writing to your Dockerfile, docker-compose.yml, and other container configuration files through deny-by-default action gating. A single policy rule prevents any modification to your container definitions. Install with npx @authensor/safeclaw and your Docker configuration is locked down immediately.

Why Protecting Docker Config Matters

Your Dockerfile defines the exact environment your application runs in. An AI agent that modifies it could add malicious base images, expose additional ports, install unauthorized packages, change the entrypoint to execute arbitrary code, or disable security configurations. A modified docker-compose.yml could mount sensitive host directories into containers, change network settings, or add services you did not authorize.

Container configuration changes are particularly dangerous because they affect every deployment. A bad Dockerfile change today becomes a production vulnerability tomorrow.

Step 1: Install SafeClaw

npx @authensor/safeclaw

Works with Claude Code, OpenAI agents, and all major agent frameworks. Zero dependencies, MIT licensed.

Step 2: Block Docker File Modifications

# safeclaw.policy.yaml
rules:
  - action: file.write
    path: "**/Dockerfile"
    effect: deny
    reason: "AI agents cannot modify Dockerfiles"

- action: file.write
    path: "*/Dockerfile."
    effect: deny
    reason: "Block modification of multi-stage Dockerfiles"

- action: file.write
    path: "**/docker-compose.yml"
    effect: deny
    reason: "AI agents cannot modify docker-compose config"

- action: file.write
    path: "**/docker-compose.yaml"
    effect: deny
    reason: "Block YAML variant of docker-compose"

- action: file.write
    path: "*/docker-compose..yml"
    effect: deny
    reason: "Block override compose files"

- action: file.write
    path: "**/.dockerignore"
    effect: deny
    reason: "Block dockerignore changes (could expose secrets to build context)"

Step 3: Block Docker CLI Commands

An agent might try to modify container behavior through CLI commands instead of editing files:

rules:
  - action: shell.execute
    command_pattern: "docker build *"
    effect: deny
    reason: "Block docker build — requires human review"

- action: shell.execute
    command_pattern: "docker run *"
    effect: deny
    reason: "Block docker run — container execution requires approval"

- action: shell.execute
    command_pattern: "docker exec *"
    effect: deny
    reason: "Block executing commands inside running containers"

- action: shell.execute
    command_pattern: "docker compose up*"
    effect: deny
    reason: "Block starting compose services"

- action: shell.execute
    command_pattern: "docker push *"
    effect: deny
    reason: "Block pushing images to registries"

Step 4: Allow Read-Only Docker Access

Your agent may need to read Docker configuration for context or to inspect running containers:

rules:
  # Allow reading Docker files
  - action: file.read
    path: "**/Dockerfile"
    effect: allow
    reason: "Agent can read Dockerfiles for context"

- action: file.read
    path: "**/docker-compose.yml"
    effect: allow
    reason: "Agent can read compose config for context"

# Allow inspection commands
  - action: shell.execute
    command_pattern: "docker ps*"
    effect: allow
    reason: "Allow listing running containers"

- action: shell.execute
    command_pattern: "docker logs *"
    effect: allow
    reason: "Allow reading container logs"

- action: shell.execute
    command_pattern: "docker inspect *"
    effect: allow
    reason: "Allow inspecting container metadata"

Step 5: Protect Kubernetes Config Too

If you use Kubernetes, extend the protection:

rules:
  - action: file.write
    path: "/k8s/"
    effect: deny
    reason: "Block modification of Kubernetes manifests"

- action: file.write
    path: "*/.deployment.yaml"
    effect: deny
    reason: "Block modification of K8s deployment files"

- action: shell.execute
    command_pattern: "kubectl apply *"
    effect: deny
    reason: "Block applying K8s changes"

- action: shell.execute
    command_pattern: "kubectl delete *"
    effect: deny
    reason: "Block deleting K8s resources"

Step 6: Test and Audit

npx @authensor/safeclaw --simulate

Ask your agent to modify the Dockerfile. The log confirms:

[DENIED] file.write: "/home/user/projects/my-app/Dockerfile"
  Rule: "AI agents cannot modify Dockerfiles"

Review the hash-chained audit trail:

npx @authensor/safeclaw audit --filter "path:Dockerfile"

SafeClaw is open-source with 446 tests and works with both Claude and OpenAI providers.

Related Pages

• How to Block AI from Modifying CI/CD Configuration Files
• How to Prevent AI from Modifying package.json
• Deep Dive: Container Isolation for AI
• Guide: Docker Compose Deployment