CVE-2025-53184 is a heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability identified in the PDF preview module of Huawei's HarmonyOS versions 5.1.0 and 5.0.1. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-122, indicating that it involves improper handling of memory buffers on the heap, which can lead to memory corruption. Specifically, the description mentions a null pointer dereference issue within the PDF preview functionality. While the direct impact is stated as potentially affecting function stability, the underlying heap overflow nature of the flaw suggests that exploitation could cause application crashes or denial of service conditions. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 6.5 (medium severity), with the vector indicating that the attack can be performed remotely (AV:N), requires low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges (PR:N), but requires user interaction (UI:R). The impact is limited to availability (A:H), with no confidentiality or integrity impact reported. No known exploits are currently in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet. The vulnerability's root cause is likely due to improper validation or bounds checking when processing PDF files in the preview module, leading to heap memory corruption when handling crafted PDF content. This could cause the preview function to crash or behave unpredictably, potentially impacting user experience or system stability on affected devices running HarmonyOS. Given the nature of the vulnerability, exploitation would require a user to open or preview a maliciously crafted PDF file, making social engineering or phishing a likely attack vector.

For European organizations using Huawei devices running HarmonyOS 5.0.1 or 5.1.0, this vulnerability could lead to denial of service conditions on affected devices, particularly if employees open malicious PDF files. This could disrupt business operations by causing application or system instability, especially in environments where PDF previews are commonly used (e.g., document management, email clients, or collaboration tools). Although the vulnerability does not directly compromise confidentiality or integrity, the availability impact could affect productivity and user trust. In critical infrastructure or sectors relying on Huawei HarmonyOS devices, such as telecommunications or public services, repeated exploitation could degrade service reliability. Additionally, the requirement for user interaction means that phishing or social engineering campaigns targeting European users could leverage this vulnerability to cause disruptions. However, the absence of known exploits and the medium severity rating suggest the immediate risk is moderate but should not be ignored, especially as patches are not yet available.

European organizations should implement targeted mitigation strategies beyond generic advice: 1) Restrict or monitor the use of Huawei HarmonyOS devices running affected versions (5.0.1 and 5.1.0) within sensitive environments. 2) Educate users about the risks of opening unsolicited or suspicious PDF files, emphasizing caution with email attachments and downloads. 3) Employ advanced email filtering solutions that scan and block malicious PDF attachments before reaching end users. 4) Where possible, disable or limit the automatic preview of PDF files in applications on HarmonyOS devices to reduce exposure. 5) Monitor device logs and application behavior for crashes or instability related to PDF preview operations to detect potential exploitation attempts. 6) Engage with Huawei support channels to obtain patches or updates as soon as they become available and plan timely deployment. 7) Consider network segmentation to isolate critical systems from devices running vulnerable HarmonyOS versions to contain potential impact. These steps, combined with standard endpoint protection and incident response readiness, will help mitigate the risk posed by this vulnerability.