CVE-2019-18644: The malware scan function in Total Defense Anti-virus 11.5.2.28 is vulnerable to a TOCTOU bug; consequently, s

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MEDIUM 5.9REMOTEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2019-18644 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.9) affecting anti-virus. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The malware scan function in Total Defense Anti-virus 11.5.2.28 is vulnerable to a TOCTOU bug; consequently, symbolic link attacks allow privileged files to be deleted.

Why this priority

Public exploit reference
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.9 (Medium)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	High
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.6% (top 53%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-367
Published	2019-10-31
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: totaldefense

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2019-10-31 00:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 02:25 UTCUpdated Record last modified

totaldefense anti-virus DOWNGRADE

Affected: 11.5.2.28

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 11.5.2.28

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 11.5.2.28 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison anti-virus sudo apt install anti-virus=<VERSION_BEFORE_11.5.2.28> 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_11.5.2.28> 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-2019-18644?

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

Is CVE-2019-18644 being exploited?

CVE-2019-18644 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-2019-18644 affect?

CVE-2019-18644 affects anti-virus. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.9). The malware scan function in Total Defense Anti-virus 11.5.2.28 is vulnerable to a TOCTOU bug; consequently, symbolic link attacks allow privileged files to be deleted.

How urgent is CVE-2019-18644?

Priority 42/100. Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

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References

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