CVE-2019-18644 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

Total Defense Anti-virus 11.5.2.28 contains a susceptible TOCTOU bug in its malware scan feature, allowing symbolic link attacks to delete privileged files.

Understanding CVE-2019-18644

Total Defense Anti-virus 11.5.2.28 is vulnerable to a Time-of-Check Time-of-Use (TOCTOU) bug that enables attackers to exploit symbolic links, resulting in the removal of critical files.

What is CVE-2019-18644?

The vulnerability in Total Defense Anti-virus 11.5.2.28 allows malicious actors to manipulate symbolic links during the malware scan process, leading to the deletion of privileged files.

The Impact of CVE-2019-18644

This vulnerability can be exploited by attackers to delete essential files, potentially causing system instability and compromising sensitive data.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-18644

Total Defense Anti-virus 11.5.2.28's vulnerability is detailed below:

Vulnerability Description

The TOCTOU bug in the malware scan feature of Total Defense Anti-virus 11.5.2.28 permits symbolic link attacks, enabling the deletion of critical files.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Total Defense Anti-virus
Version: 11.5.2.28

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by creating symbolic links during the malware scan process, tricking the system into deleting important files.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2019-18644, follow these steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Disable the malware scan feature in Total Defense Anti-virus 11.5.2.28.
Regularly monitor system files for any unauthorized changes.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement file integrity monitoring to detect unauthorized file modifications.
Keep antivirus software up to date to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Check for security patches and updates from Total Defense to fix the TOCTOU bug and prevent symbolic link attacks.