CVE-2025-53176 is a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability identified in Huawei's HarmonyOS, specifically affecting versions 5.1.0 and 5.0.1. The vulnerability arises during the parsing of vector images in the file preview function. A stack-based buffer overflow (CWE-121) occurs when the software writes more data to a buffer located on the stack than it can hold, potentially overwriting adjacent memory. In this case, the overflow happens while processing vector image files, which are commonly used for scalable graphics. Exploiting this vulnerability could lead to a denial of service (DoS) condition by crashing the file preview function or the entire system process handling the preview. According to the CVSS 3.1 score of 3.3 (low severity), the attack vector is local (AV:L), requiring low privileges (PR:L) but no user interaction (UI:N). The impact is limited to availability (A:L) with no confidentiality or integrity impact. There are no known exploits in the wild at this time, 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 vulnerability, exploitation would require an attacker to have local access to the device or system running HarmonyOS and to trigger the file preview of a maliciously crafted vector image file. While the vulnerability does not directly compromise confidentiality or integrity, it could disrupt normal operations by causing application or system crashes, potentially affecting user productivity or system stability.

For European organizations using Huawei HarmonyOS devices, particularly those running versions 5.0.1 or 5.1.0, this vulnerability could lead to localized denial of service conditions. The impact is primarily on availability, as the file preview function could be disrupted, potentially causing application crashes or system instability. This could affect user experience and productivity, especially in environments where previewing vector images is common, such as design, engineering, or marketing departments. However, since the vulnerability requires local access and low privileges, the risk of remote exploitation is minimal. The lack of confidentiality or integrity impact reduces the risk of data breaches or unauthorized modifications. Nevertheless, organizations relying on HarmonyOS devices for critical operations should be aware of potential disruptions and plan accordingly. The absence of known exploits in the wild lowers immediate risk but does not eliminate the need for vigilance. Additionally, if attackers gain local access through other means, this vulnerability could be chained with other exploits to increase overall impact.

To mitigate this vulnerability effectively, European organizations should: 1) Monitor Huawei's official security advisories closely for patches or updates addressing CVE-2025-53176 and apply them promptly once available. 2) Restrict local access to HarmonyOS devices by enforcing strict physical security controls and limiting user privileges to the minimum necessary, reducing the chance of exploitation. 3) Implement application whitelisting and control mechanisms to prevent unauthorized or suspicious files from being opened or previewed, especially vector image files from untrusted sources. 4) Educate users about the risks of opening unknown or suspicious vector image files, even locally, to reduce inadvertent triggering of the vulnerability. 5) Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of detecting abnormal application crashes or behaviors related to file preview functions. 6) Consider network segmentation to isolate HarmonyOS devices from critical infrastructure to minimize potential disruption. 7) Regularly back up critical data and system states to enable rapid recovery in case of denial of service or system instability caused by exploitation attempts.