CVE-2025-46588 is a medium-severity vulnerability identified in Huawei's HarmonyOS version 5.0.0, specifically within the app lock module. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-199, which relates to Information Management Errors. This particular flaw allows unauthorized access due to improper handling of information within the app lock feature, which is designed to restrict access to certain applications on devices running HarmonyOS. Successful exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to unauthorized users bypassing app lock protections, thereby compromising the confidentiality and integrity of data within locked applications. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 4.4, reflecting a low attack vector (local), low attack complexity, no privileges required, but requiring user interaction. The scope remains unchanged, and the impact is limited to low confidentiality and integrity loss without affecting availability. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been published yet. The vulnerability requires local access and user interaction, which limits the ease of exploitation but still poses a risk especially in scenarios where devices are shared or physically accessible by unauthorized individuals.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability primarily concerns the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive information stored within applications protected by the app lock module on HarmonyOS devices. Organizations using Huawei devices with HarmonyOS 5.0.0, particularly in sectors handling sensitive personal or corporate data (e.g., finance, healthcare, government), could face risks of data leakage or unauthorized modification if devices are lost, stolen, or accessed by unauthorized personnel. Although the vulnerability does not affect availability, the breach of confidentiality and integrity could lead to compliance issues under GDPR and other data protection regulations, potential reputational damage, and financial losses. The requirement for local access and user interaction reduces the risk of remote exploitation but does not eliminate insider threats or risks from physical device compromise.

Given the absence of an official patch, European organizations should implement specific mitigations beyond generic advice: 1) Enforce strict physical security controls to prevent unauthorized physical access to devices running HarmonyOS 5.0.0. 2) Limit the use of Huawei HarmonyOS devices in environments where sensitive data is handled unless necessary, or isolate such devices from critical systems. 3) Educate users about the risks of unauthorized access and the importance of not leaving devices unattended or unlocked. 4) Monitor device usage and access logs where possible to detect suspicious activities. 5) Consider deploying additional third-party mobile device management (MDM) solutions that can enforce stronger app locking or encryption policies. 6) Stay alert for official patches or updates from Huawei and prioritize their deployment once available. 7) Evaluate alternative secure app locking mechanisms or additional authentication layers to protect sensitive applications on affected devices.