Anti-Virus: Improper Access Control
CVE-2023-1453 is a high-severity improper access control vulnerability in Anti-Virus from WatchDog, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.1 out of 10. It can be exploited with local access to the system by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. Affected Anti-Virus versions: 1.4.214.0. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.33% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Check which version of Anti-Virus you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Watchdog | Anti-Virus | 1.4.214.0 | Not stated |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- LocalThe attacker needs local access or must trick a user into running something.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- LowA basic user account is enough.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- NoneNo data is disclosed.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 4.4 | Medium | CNA (vuldb.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.1 | High | NVD |
| CVSS 2.0 | 3.2 | Low | CNA (vuldb.com) |
Official description
A vulnerability was found in Watchdog Anti-Virus 1.4.214.0. It has been rated as critical. Affected by this issue is the function 0x80002008 in the library wsdk-driver.sys of the component IoControlCode Handler. The manipulation leads to improper access controls. Attacking locally is a requirement. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. VDB-223298 is the identifier assigned to this vulnerability.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Access Control
The product does not restrict or incorrectly restricts access to a resource from an unauthorized actor.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Very carefully manage the setting, management, and handling of privileges. Explicitly manage trust zones in the software.
- Compartmentalize the system to have safe areas where trust boundaries can be unambiguously drawn. Do not allow sensitive data to go outside of the trust boundary and always be careful when interfacing with a compartment outside of the safe area. Ensure that appropriate compartmentalization is built into the system design, and the compartmentalization allows for and reinforces privilege separation functionality. Architects and designers should rely on the principle of least privilege to decide the appropriate time to use privileges and the time to drop privileges.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Third-party and government advisories
- github.com/zeze-zeze/WindowsKernelVuln/tree/master/CVE-2023-1453Third Party Advisory
- vuldb.com/?ctiid.223298Permissions Required, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
- vuldb.com/?id.223298Permissions Required, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
Technical write-ups (may include proof of concept)
Recent Improper Access Control vulnerabilities
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.3 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
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