How severe is CVE-2019-3636?

CVE-2019-3636 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with high attack complexity, requires low privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2019-3636 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (13th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2019-3636?

CVE-2019-3636 affects Mcafee Total Protection. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2019-3636?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2019-3636 published?

CVE-2019-3636 was published on 2019-10-28 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2019-3636

CVE-2019-3636 is a high-severity vulnerability in Mcafee Total Protection with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-312.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.5)
CVSS v2: 4.6
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (13th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-312
Affected product: Mcafee Total Protection
Published: 2019-10-28
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

A File Masquerade vulnerability in McAfee Total Protection (MTP) version 16.0.R21 and earlier in Windows client allowed an attacker to read the plaintext list of AV-Scan exclusion files from the Windows registry, and to possibly replace excluded files with potential malware without being detected.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2019-3636?: A File Masquerade vulnerability in McAfee Total Protection (MTP) version 16.0.R21 and earlier in Windows client allowed an attacker to read the plaintext list of AV-Scan exclusion files from the Windows registry, and to possibly replace excluded files with potential malware without being detected.
How severe is CVE-2019-3636?: CVE-2019-3636 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with high attack complexity, requires low privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2019-3636 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (13th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2019-3636?: CVE-2019-3636 affects Mcafee Total Protection. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2019-3636?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2019-3636 published?: CVE-2019-3636 was published on 2019-10-28 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://service.mcafee.com/webcenter/portal/cp/home/articleview?articleId=TS102982

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:mcafee:total_protection:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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