CVE-2025-46584 is a high-severity vulnerability identified in Huawei's HarmonyOS version 5.0.0, specifically within the file system module. The root cause is an improper implementation of authentication logic, categorized under CWE-280 (Improper Handling of Insufficient Permissions or Privileges). This flaw allows an attacker with limited privileges (PR:L) and local access (AV:L) to escalate their permissions or bypass intended access controls without requiring user interaction (UI:N). The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:H/I:H/A:H), indicating that exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, modification or corruption of files, and disruption of system services. The vulnerability does not require remote access but does require some level of authenticated local access, making it a significant risk in environments where untrusted users or processes have local access to devices running HarmonyOS 5.0.0. Although no known exploits are currently in the wild, the high CVSS score (7.8) reflects the potential for serious damage if exploited. The improper authentication logic in the file system module suggests that the system may fail to correctly verify permissions before granting access to file operations, potentially allowing privilege escalation or unauthorized data exposure. Given HarmonyOS's increasing adoption in IoT devices, smartphones, and other embedded systems, this vulnerability could be leveraged to compromise device security and privacy.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-46584 could be substantial, especially for those deploying Huawei HarmonyOS devices in critical infrastructure, telecommunications, or enterprise environments. Confidentiality breaches could expose sensitive corporate or personal data, violating GDPR and other data protection regulations. Integrity compromises could lead to unauthorized modification of files or system configurations, potentially disrupting business operations or enabling further attacks. Availability impacts could cause denial of service on affected devices, undermining operational continuity. The requirement for local authenticated access somewhat limits remote exploitation but does not eliminate risk, as insider threats, compromised user accounts, or malware with local execution capabilities could exploit this vulnerability. Organizations relying on HarmonyOS-based devices for IoT deployments or mobile endpoints should be particularly vigilant, as these devices often have access to sensitive networks or data. Failure to address this vulnerability could result in regulatory penalties, reputational damage, and operational disruptions.

To mitigate CVE-2025-46584, European organizations should first verify the presence of HarmonyOS 5.0.0 devices within their environment. Immediate steps include: 1) Applying any official patches or updates from Huawei once available; since no patch links are currently provided, organizations should monitor Huawei security advisories closely. 2) Restricting local access to HarmonyOS devices by enforcing strict physical and logical access controls, including multi-factor authentication and role-based access controls to minimize the risk of unauthorized local privilege escalation. 3) Implementing endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions tailored for HarmonyOS or compatible platforms to detect anomalous file system access or privilege escalation attempts. 4) Conducting regular audits of device permissions and access logs to identify suspicious activities. 5) Segmenting networks to isolate HarmonyOS devices from critical systems, reducing the potential impact of a compromised device. 6) Educating users and administrators about the risks of local privilege escalation vulnerabilities and enforcing the principle of least privilege. 7) Considering compensating controls such as application whitelisting and integrity monitoring on HarmonyOS devices to detect unauthorized changes. These measures, combined with timely patching, will reduce the risk posed by this vulnerability.