Can Vite's default development server host binding inadvertently expose local endpoints to public networks?

Vite's development server defaults to binding `localhost` when no `server.host` value is provided in `vite.config.js`. This behavior aims to restrict access to the local machine during local development. However, the precise mechanism governing the default address resolution—and whether it can shift under certain configurations—remains a point of clarification for teams managing shared or containerized environments.

In practice, developers sometimes start the dev server with implicit or explicit host flags, or rely on environment-driven configurations that may override the default. The interaction between Vite's host resolution, operating system network stacks, and external tools like Docker port mapping or tunneling services introduces scenarios where an unintended network interface could become accessible. Understanding the conditions that trigger such expansions is essential for maintaining a secure development posture.

What address does Vite's development server resolve to as the default host when `server.host` is absent from configuration? Under what operating system or environment conditions might this default binding address expand beyond localhost without explicit user intent? How does Vite's host resolution interact with Docker, dev tunnels, or network proxy configurations to affect accessibility?