CVE-2025-53181 is a heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability identified in the PDF preview module of Huawei's HarmonyOS, specifically affecting 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. In this case, the flaw manifests as a null pointer dereference within the PDF preview functionality. When a specially crafted PDF file is processed, the vulnerability can be triggered, causing the application or system function responsible for rendering the PDF preview to become unstable or crash. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.5, indicating a medium severity level. The vector string (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H) reveals that the attack can be launched remotely over the network without privileges but requires user interaction (e.g., opening or previewing a malicious PDF). The impact is primarily on availability, as successful exploitation leads to denial of service or function instability, but does not compromise confidentiality or integrity. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet. The vulnerability's root cause is a heap buffer overflow triggered by null pointer dereference, which can cause memory corruption and application crashes. Given the nature of the flaw, exploitation could be used to disrupt device functionality or potentially be chained with other vulnerabilities for more severe impacts, although no such escalation is documented at this time.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-53181 centers on potential service disruption and reduced reliability of devices running Huawei HarmonyOS, particularly those that utilize PDF preview features. This could affect enterprise environments where HarmonyOS devices are used for document handling or communication. The denial of service caused by the vulnerability may interrupt workflows, cause data access delays, or degrade user experience. While the vulnerability does not directly expose sensitive data or allow unauthorized code execution, the instability could be exploited in targeted attacks to cause operational disruptions. In sectors such as telecommunications, government, or critical infrastructure where Huawei devices might be deployed, this could translate into reduced operational resilience. Additionally, the requirement for user interaction means phishing or social engineering could be vectors to trigger the vulnerability, increasing risk in environments with less stringent user awareness. However, the absence of known exploits and the medium severity rating suggest the immediate risk is moderate, but organizations should remain vigilant given the potential for future exploit development.

To mitigate CVE-2025-53181, European organizations should implement several targeted actions beyond generic security hygiene: 1) Restrict or monitor the use of PDF preview features on HarmonyOS devices, especially in high-risk user groups or sensitive environments. 2) Educate users about the risks of opening unsolicited or suspicious PDF files, emphasizing caution with documents received via email or messaging platforms. 3) Employ network-level controls such as sandboxing or content disarming for PDF files before they reach end-user devices to prevent malicious payloads from triggering the vulnerability. 4) Maintain close communication with Huawei for timely updates and patches, and prioritize rapid deployment of any security fixes once available. 5) Implement application whitelisting or endpoint protection solutions capable of detecting abnormal process crashes or memory corruption events related to PDF preview processes. 6) Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing focusing on document handling components to identify any exploitation attempts. 7) Consider isolating HarmonyOS devices or limiting their network access in critical environments until patches are applied. These measures collectively reduce the attack surface and limit the potential impact of exploitation.