CVE-2023-1446: A vulnerability classified as problematic was found in Watchdog Anti-Virus 1.4.214.0

Routine

MEDIUM 5.5DOWNGRADE

CVE-2023-1446 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.5) affecting anti-virus. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

A vulnerability classified as problematic was found in Watchdog Anti-Virus 1.4.214.0. Affected by this vulnerability is the function 0x80002004/0x80002008 in the library wsdk-driver.sys of the component IoControlCode Handler. The manipulation leads to denial of service. An attack has to be approached locally. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The associated identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-223291.

Why this priority

Public exploit reference

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.5 (Medium)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.3% (top 74%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-404, CWE-476
Published	2023-03-17
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): VulDB · Vendor: watchdog

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2023-03-17 07:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 05:27 UTCUpdated Record last modified

watchdog anti-virus DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.4.214.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.4.214.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy anti-virus || rpm -q anti-virus || anti-virus --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.4.214.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison anti-virus sudo apt install anti-virus=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.4.214.0> sudo apt-mark hold anti-virus

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list anti-virus sudo dnf downgrade anti-virus-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.4.214.0> sudo dnf versionlock add anti-virus

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2023-1446?

anti-virus: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2023-1446 being exploited?

CVE-2023-1446 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2023-1446 affect?

CVE-2023-1446 affects anti-virus. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.5). A vulnerability classified as problematic was found in Watchdog Anti-Virus 1.4.214.0. Affected by this vulnerability is the function 0x80002004/0x80002008 in the library wsdk-driver.sys of the component IoControlCode Handler. The manipulati

How urgent is CVE-2023-1446?

Priority 31/100. Public exploit reference

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References

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