CVE-2025-53180 is a heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability identified in the PDF preview module of Huawei's HarmonyOS versions 5.0.1 and 5.1.0. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-122, which involves improper handling of memory buffers leading to overflow conditions. Specifically, this flaw arises from a null pointer dereference scenario within the PDF preview functionality. When a specially crafted PDF file is processed, the system may attempt to access or write to memory locations improperly, causing a heap overflow. This can lead to instability or crashes of the affected function, impacting the availability of the PDF preview feature. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.5 (medium severity), with an attack vector of network (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), but requiring user interaction (UI:R). The impact is limited to availability (A:H) with no confidentiality or integrity impact. There are no known exploits in the wild at the time of publication, and no patches have been released yet. The vulnerability does not appear to allow code execution or privilege escalation directly but can cause denial of service conditions by crashing the PDF preview module, potentially affecting user experience and system stability on devices running the affected HarmonyOS versions.

For European organizations using Huawei devices running HarmonyOS 5.0.1 or 5.1.0, this vulnerability could disrupt normal operations involving PDF document handling, especially in environments where PDF previews are frequently used, such as document management or mobile office applications. While the impact is primarily on availability, repeated crashes could lead to denial of service conditions, affecting productivity and potentially causing interruptions in workflows. Although there is no direct confidentiality or integrity compromise, the instability could be exploited as part of a broader attack chain or cause user frustration and loss of trust in device reliability. Organizations relying on Huawei mobile devices or IoT endpoints with HarmonyOS in sectors like telecommunications, manufacturing, or public services may face operational risks. However, the lack of known exploits and the requirement for user interaction reduce the immediacy of the threat. Still, the medium severity rating suggests that organizations should proactively address this vulnerability to maintain system stability and user confidence.

Given the absence of an official patch, European organizations should implement several practical mitigations: 1) Restrict or monitor the receipt and opening of PDF files from untrusted or unknown sources on HarmonyOS devices to reduce exposure to maliciously crafted PDFs. 2) Educate users about the risks of opening unsolicited PDF documents and encourage cautious behavior to minimize user interaction exploitation. 3) Employ endpoint security solutions capable of detecting anomalous application crashes or unusual PDF processing behavior on HarmonyOS devices. 4) Where possible, disable or limit the use of the PDF preview feature in environments where it is not essential, reducing the attack surface. 5) Maintain an inventory of Huawei devices running the affected HarmonyOS versions to prioritize updates once patches become available. 6) Engage with Huawei support channels for timely updates and advisories. 7) Consider network-level controls to filter or scan PDF attachments before delivery to devices. These targeted measures go beyond generic advice by focusing on user behavior, device configuration, and network controls specific to the nature of this vulnerability.