CVE-2025-53173 is a medium-severity stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability (CWE-121) identified in Huawei's HarmonyOS versions 5.0.1 and 5.1.0. The vulnerability arises during the parsing of vector images in the file preview functionality. Specifically, when a vector image file is processed for preview, improper handling of input data can lead to a stack overflow condition. This type of vulnerability occurs when more data is written to a buffer located on the stack than it can hold, potentially overwriting adjacent memory and causing unpredictable behavior. According to the CVSS 3.1 vector (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L), the vulnerability can be exploited remotely over the network without any privileges or user interaction, but its impact is limited to availability, causing denial of service or application crashes. There is no indication that confidentiality or integrity can be compromised through this flaw. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet. The vulnerability was reserved on June 27, 2025, and published on July 7, 2025. Given the nature of the flaw, attackers could craft malicious vector image files that, when previewed on a vulnerable HarmonyOS device, trigger the overflow and crash the preview application or potentially cause a system instability. However, exploitation does not appear to allow code execution or privilege escalation based on the available information.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-53173 primarily concerns availability disruptions on devices running affected versions of HarmonyOS. This could affect user productivity if file previews are essential in workflows, particularly in sectors relying on Huawei devices for mobile or embedded applications. While the vulnerability does not compromise confidentiality or integrity, denial of service conditions could interrupt critical operations, especially in environments where HarmonyOS devices are integrated into communication or operational technology systems. The lack of required user interaction and privileges means that attackers could potentially trigger the overflow remotely, increasing the risk surface. However, the absence of known exploits and the medium CVSS score suggest that the immediate threat level is moderate. Organizations using Huawei HarmonyOS devices should be aware of this vulnerability as part of their risk management, especially if they handle vector image files frequently or rely on file preview features in their operational processes.

1. Monitor Huawei's official security advisories closely for patches or updates addressing this vulnerability and apply them promptly once available. 2. Implement network-level controls such as filtering or blocking untrusted vector image files from external sources to reduce exposure to crafted malicious files. 3. Restrict file preview functionality or disable automatic preview of vector images in applications or system settings where feasible, especially in high-risk environments. 4. Employ application whitelisting and sandboxing techniques to isolate the file preview process, limiting the impact of potential crashes or exploits. 5. Conduct regular security awareness training for users to avoid opening suspicious or unsolicited vector image files. 6. Use endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools to monitor for abnormal application crashes or system instability that could indicate exploitation attempts. 7. Maintain an inventory of devices running HarmonyOS 5.0.1 and 5.1.0 to prioritize patching and mitigation efforts.