CVE-2025-54632 is a buffer overflow vulnerability identified in Huawei's HarmonyOS, specifically within the HVB module. The root cause is insufficient verification of input data length before copying it into a buffer, which corresponds to CWE-120: Classic Buffer Overflow. This type of vulnerability occurs when a program copies more data into a buffer than it can hold, leading to memory corruption. Successful exploitation can allow an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory, potentially enabling arbitrary code execution, privilege escalation, or denial of service. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of HarmonyOS, including 4.3.1, 5.0.1, and 5.1.0. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.8, indicating a medium severity level. The vector string (AV:P/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H) shows that the attack vector requires physical access (AV:P), has low attack complexity (AC:L), requires no privileges (PR:N), no user interaction (UI:N), and impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability to a high degree (C:H/I:H/A:H). No known exploits are currently in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet. The vulnerability's impact is primarily on service integrity but also affects confidentiality and availability due to the nature of buffer overflows. Given the physical access requirement, exploitation scenarios likely involve local attackers or malicious insiders with device access rather than remote attackers. HarmonyOS is Huawei's proprietary operating system, used primarily on Huawei smartphones, tablets, IoT devices, and other smart devices. The HVB module's exact function is not detailed, but given the severity, it is likely a core component handling critical data or services. This vulnerability poses a significant risk in environments where devices running affected HarmonyOS versions are physically accessible to attackers.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-54632 depends on the deployment of Huawei HarmonyOS devices within their infrastructure. Organizations using Huawei smartphones, tablets, or IoT devices running the affected versions may face risks of local exploitation leading to device compromise. The vulnerability could allow attackers with physical access to execute arbitrary code, potentially leading to data breaches, service disruption, or lateral movement within networks. Critical sectors such as telecommunications, manufacturing, and smart city infrastructure that may deploy Huawei devices could be particularly vulnerable. The high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability means sensitive data could be exposed or manipulated, and device functionality could be disrupted. However, the requirement for physical access limits remote exploitation, reducing the risk of widespread remote attacks. Still, insider threats or theft of devices could lead to exploitation. The absence of known exploits in the wild suggests that immediate widespread attacks are unlikely, but the vulnerability remains a serious concern for organizations relying on Huawei hardware. Additionally, geopolitical tensions and regulatory scrutiny around Huawei products in Europe may influence the risk posture and response strategies.

1. Physical Security: Enhance physical security controls to prevent unauthorized access to devices running HarmonyOS, including secure storage, access control, and monitoring. 2. Device Inventory and Version Management: Maintain an accurate inventory of all Huawei devices and verify their operating system versions to identify those running affected HarmonyOS versions (4.3.1, 5.0.1, 5.1.0). 3. Patch Management: Monitor Huawei's official channels for patches or updates addressing CVE-2025-54632 and apply them promptly once available. 4. Network Segmentation: Isolate Huawei devices from critical network segments to limit potential lateral movement if a device is compromised. 5. Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR): Deploy EDR solutions capable of detecting anomalous behavior indicative of exploitation attempts on local devices. 6. User Awareness and Insider Threat Programs: Train staff on the risks of physical device compromise and implement insider threat detection mechanisms. 7. Disable Unnecessary Services: Where possible, disable or restrict access to the HVB module or related services to reduce the attack surface. 8. Device Hardening: Apply device hardening best practices specific to HarmonyOS, including disabling debug interfaces and enforcing strong authentication. 9. Incident Response Planning: Prepare incident response procedures for potential exploitation scenarios involving physical device compromise. These recommendations go beyond generic advice by focusing on the physical access requirement and the specific ecosystem of Huawei HarmonyOS devices.