CVE-2025-46590 is a medium-severity vulnerability identified in Huawei's HarmonyOS version 5.0.0. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-287, which pertains to improper authentication. Specifically, this flaw exists in the network search instruction authentication module of HarmonyOS. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability can bypass the authentication mechanism that normally restricts access to certain network search functions. This bypass does not require any privileges or user interaction, making it accessible remotely over the network (Attack Vector: Adjacent Network). The vulnerability has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 6.3, reflecting a moderate impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Successful exploitation could allow an attacker to access network search functionalities that should be protected, potentially enabling information disclosure, unauthorized network reconnaissance, or further exploitation steps. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the absence of patches at the time of disclosure increases the risk window. The vulnerability affects only HarmonyOS 5.0.0, which is Huawei's proprietary operating system used primarily on IoT devices, smartphones, and other smart devices. The authentication bypass could be leveraged by attackers to gain unauthorized access to network-related features, which might be used as a foothold for lateral movement or data gathering within affected environments.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-46590 depends largely on the adoption rate of Huawei HarmonyOS devices within their infrastructure or supply chain. Enterprises using Huawei smart devices or IoT equipment running HarmonyOS 5.0.0 could face unauthorized access risks to network search functions, potentially leading to information leakage or enabling attackers to map internal or adjacent networks. This could facilitate subsequent attacks such as targeted intrusions or data exfiltration. Critical infrastructure sectors that rely on Huawei IoT devices for network management or monitoring could be particularly vulnerable, as attackers might exploit this flaw to disrupt operations or gather intelligence. While the vulnerability does not directly allow full system compromise, the authentication bypass lowers the barrier for attackers to gain a foothold. Given the medium severity and the lack of required user interaction or privileges, the threat is non-negligible, especially in environments with high device density or where network segmentation is weak. The absence of known exploits currently limits immediate risk, but the vulnerability should be addressed promptly to prevent future exploitation.

1. Immediate mitigation should focus on restricting network access to HarmonyOS devices, especially limiting access to network search functions to trusted management networks only. 2. Implement strict network segmentation and firewall rules to isolate Huawei devices running HarmonyOS 5.0.0 from critical internal systems. 3. Monitor network traffic for unusual access patterns or unauthorized attempts to invoke network search functions on affected devices. 4. Engage with Huawei support channels to obtain patches or firmware updates addressing CVE-2025-46590 as soon as they become available. 5. Where possible, upgrade affected devices to newer HarmonyOS versions that do not contain this vulnerability. 6. Conduct regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing focused on IoT and smart device ecosystems to detect similar authentication bypass issues. 7. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of monitoring device behavior for anomalies related to network function access. 8. Educate network administrators and security teams about this specific vulnerability to ensure rapid identification and response to potential exploitation attempts.