CVE-2025-54651 is a race condition vulnerability identified in the kernel hufs module of Huawei's HarmonyOS versions 5.0.1 and 5.1.0. The vulnerability stems from improper synchronization when concurrent execution accesses shared resources, classified under CWE-362. In such scenarios, multiple processes or threads attempt to access or modify shared data simultaneously without adequate locking mechanisms, leading to unpredictable behavior. Exploiting this race condition could allow an attacker with limited privileges (requiring local access and some user interaction) to interfere with the kernel's handling of the hufs module, potentially leading to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information or partial compromise of service confidentiality. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 4.8 (medium severity) reflects that the attack vector is local, requires low complexity, privileges, and user interaction, and impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability to a limited extent. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet. Given that the kernel is a critical component, any race condition can cause instability or leakage of data, making this a significant concern for devices running HarmonyOS, especially those deployed in sensitive environments.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability depends largely on the extent of HarmonyOS device usage within their infrastructure or user base. Huawei HarmonyOS is primarily deployed on Huawei's IoT devices, smartphones, and embedded systems. Organizations using Huawei devices for critical communications, industrial IoT, or mobile operations could face risks of data leakage or service disruption due to this vulnerability. The race condition could be exploited to gain unauthorized access to confidential information or cause denial of service conditions, impacting operational continuity and data privacy compliance under regulations such as GDPR. Additionally, sectors like telecommunications, manufacturing, and public services that may rely on Huawei hardware could experience increased risk exposure. Although exploitation requires local access and user interaction, insider threats or compromised devices could serve as vectors. The lack of known exploits currently reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the potential for future attacks, especially as threat actors often target race conditions to bypass security controls.

To mitigate this vulnerability, European organizations should: 1) Monitor Huawei's official security advisories closely for patches addressing CVE-2025-54651 and apply updates promptly once available. 2) Restrict local access to devices running affected HarmonyOS versions by enforcing strict access controls and user authentication policies to minimize the risk of local exploitation. 3) Implement endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of identifying anomalous behavior indicative of race condition exploitation attempts, such as unusual kernel module activity or process synchronization anomalies. 4) Conduct thorough security audits on Huawei devices within their environment to identify and isolate those running vulnerable versions. 5) Educate users on the risks of interacting with untrusted applications or content that could trigger the required user interaction for exploitation. 6) Where feasible, consider network segmentation to isolate critical Huawei-based systems from general user networks, reducing the attack surface. 7) Collaborate with Huawei support channels for guidance on interim mitigations or configuration changes that could reduce exposure until patches are available.