CVE-2025-58281 is a high-severity out-of-bounds read vulnerability (CWE-125) identified in Huawei's HarmonyOS, specifically affecting versions 5.1.0 and 5.0.1. The flaw exists within the runtime interpreter module of the operating system. An out-of-bounds read occurs when a program reads data outside the boundaries of allocated memory, which can lead to undefined behavior, including crashes or leakage of sensitive information. According to the CVSS v3.1 vector (8.4), the vulnerability requires local access (AV:L), has low attack complexity (AC:L), does not require privileges (PR:N), and no user interaction (UI:N). The scope is unchanged (S:U), but the impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high (C:H/I:H/A:H). This suggests that exploitation could lead to significant compromise of system confidentiality, integrity, and availability, potentially causing system crashes or allowing attackers to glean sensitive data or manipulate system behavior. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the vulnerability's characteristics imply that an attacker with local access to the device could exploit it without needing authentication or user interaction. The absence of patch links indicates that a fix may not yet be publicly available, increasing the urgency for mitigation. HarmonyOS is Huawei's proprietary operating system used primarily on IoT devices, smartphones, and other embedded systems, which means the vulnerability could affect a broad range of devices running these versions.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-58281 could be significant, especially for those utilizing Huawei devices running HarmonyOS in their infrastructure or IoT deployments. The vulnerability's potential to compromise confidentiality, integrity, and availability means that critical systems could be destabilized or sensitive data exposed. This is particularly relevant for sectors such as telecommunications, manufacturing, and smart city infrastructure, where Huawei devices are commonly deployed. Disruptions caused by exploitation could lead to operational downtime, data breaches, and loss of trust. Additionally, since the vulnerability requires local access, insider threats or attackers who gain physical or network-level access to devices could leverage this flaw. The lack of a patch at the time of disclosure further elevates risk, as organizations may remain exposed until updates are available and applied. Given the increasing reliance on interconnected devices, exploitation could also serve as a foothold for lateral movement within networks, amplifying the threat landscape for European enterprises.

To mitigate CVE-2025-58281 effectively, European organizations should implement a multi-layered approach: 1) Inventory and identify all Huawei HarmonyOS devices running affected versions (5.0.1 and 5.1.0) within their environment. 2) Restrict local access to these devices by enforcing strict physical security controls and network segmentation to limit exposure to trusted personnel and systems only. 3) Monitor device behavior for anomalies indicative of exploitation attempts, such as unexpected crashes or unusual memory access patterns, using endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools tailored for embedded systems if available. 4) Engage with Huawei support channels to obtain information on patches or workarounds and prioritize timely application of security updates once released. 5) Implement strict access controls and authentication mechanisms on devices to minimize the risk of unauthorized local access. 6) Where feasible, consider deploying alternative devices or operating systems with a more mature security posture until the vulnerability is resolved. 7) Educate staff about the risks of local device access and enforce policies to prevent unauthorized physical or network access to critical systems.