CVE-2022-39008 is a critical vulnerability identified in Huawei's HarmonyOS version 2.0, specifically within the NFC module's handling of bundle serialization and deserialization. The vulnerability stems from a mismatch in the serialization and deserialization process of data bundles, classified under CWE-502 (Deserialization of Untrusted Data). This flaw allows malicious third-party applications to exploit the NFC module to improperly read and write files that should be restricted to system-level applications only. The vulnerability does not require any privileges or user interaction to be exploited (CVSS vector: AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N), indicating that an attacker can remotely trigger this issue over the network without authentication or user consent. Successful exploitation compromises the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive system files, potentially leading to unauthorized data access or manipulation. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the high CVSS score of 9.1 underscores the severity and ease of exploitation of this vulnerability. The absence of a patch link suggests that mitigation or fixes may still be pending or need to be obtained through official Huawei channels. Given the role of NFC in device communication, this vulnerability could be leveraged to escalate privileges or facilitate further attacks on affected devices running HarmonyOS 2.0.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2022-39008 could be significant, especially for those deploying Huawei devices running HarmonyOS 2.0, such as smartphones, IoT devices, or embedded systems utilizing NFC capabilities. The vulnerability allows unauthorized access to system-level files by third-party applications, risking exposure of sensitive corporate or personal data and undermining device integrity. This could lead to data breaches, intellectual property theft, or disruption of critical services relying on these devices. Additionally, compromised devices could serve as entry points for lateral movement within corporate networks, amplifying the risk. Given the criticality and ease of exploitation, organizations may face compliance challenges with GDPR and other data protection regulations if sensitive data is exposed. The threat is particularly relevant for sectors with high reliance on mobile and IoT technologies, such as telecommunications, manufacturing, and public services.

To mitigate this vulnerability effectively, European organizations should: 1) Immediately inventory and identify all Huawei devices running HarmonyOS 2.0 with NFC capabilities within their environment. 2) Monitor Huawei’s official security advisories for patches or firmware updates addressing CVE-2022-39008 and apply them promptly once available. 3) Restrict installation of third-party applications from untrusted sources on affected devices to minimize exposure to malicious apps exploiting this flaw. 4) Implement strict mobile device management (MDM) policies to control app permissions, especially those related to NFC and file system access. 5) Employ network segmentation and limit NFC communication to trusted environments to reduce the attack surface. 6) Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing focusing on NFC interfaces and inter-process communication to detect potential exploitation attempts. 7) Educate users about the risks of installing unauthorized applications and the importance of device updates. These targeted actions go beyond generic advice by focusing on device-specific controls and proactive monitoring tailored to this vulnerability.