CVE-2025-46014 is a privilege escalation vulnerability identified in Honor Device Co., Ltd's Honor PC Manager version 16.0.0.118. The vulnerability arises from several services within the software that connect to a named pipe called 'iMateBookAssistant' with default or overly permissive security attributes. Named pipes are a method for inter-process communication on Windows systems, and their security attributes determine which users or processes can access them. In this case, the permissive settings allow unauthorized or lower-privileged processes to connect to the pipe and potentially interact with the higher-privileged service. This misconfiguration can be exploited by an attacker who has local access to the system to escalate their privileges, potentially gaining administrative or SYSTEM-level rights. The vulnerability does not require remote access or network exploitation but does require local access to the affected machine. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no CVSS score has been assigned yet. However, the nature of the vulnerability suggests a serious risk because privilege escalation can lead to full system compromise, enabling attackers to bypass security controls, install persistent malware, or exfiltrate sensitive data. The lack of patches or mitigations currently available increases the urgency for affected users to take precautionary measures.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability could be significant, especially for those using Honor PC Manager on corporate or personal devices. Privilege escalation vulnerabilities undermine endpoint security by allowing attackers who have gained limited access—through phishing, physical access, or other means—to elevate their privileges and gain full control over the system. This can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive corporate data, disruption of business operations, and potential lateral movement within networks. Organizations in sectors with strict data protection requirements, such as finance, healthcare, and government, may face compliance risks if such vulnerabilities are exploited. Additionally, since Honor devices and software are increasingly popular in Europe, especially in countries with strong consumer electronics markets, the exposure could be widespread. The vulnerability's local exploitation requirement somewhat limits remote attack vectors but does not eliminate risks from insider threats or attackers who have already compromised user accounts or devices.

To mitigate this vulnerability, European organizations and users should take the following specific actions: 1) Immediately audit all systems running Honor PC Manager version 16.0.0.118 or similar versions to identify affected installations. 2) Restrict local user permissions and enforce the principle of least privilege to minimize the risk of local exploitation. 3) Monitor and control access to named pipes and inter-process communication channels using Windows security policies or third-party endpoint protection tools that can detect anomalous pipe access. 4) Disable or uninstall Honor PC Manager if it is not essential to business operations until a vendor patch is released. 5) Engage with Honor Device Co., Ltd or authorized support channels to obtain updates or patches addressing this vulnerability. 6) Implement endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of detecting privilege escalation attempts and unusual inter-process communications. 7) Educate users about the risks of local privilege escalation and enforce strong physical security controls to prevent unauthorized local access to devices.