CVE-2025-58299 is a Use After Free (UAF) vulnerability identified in the storage management module of Huawei's HarmonyOS, specifically affecting versions 5.0.1 and 5.1.0. UAF vulnerabilities occur when a program continues to use memory after it has been freed, leading to undefined behavior including crashes, data corruption, or arbitrary code execution. In this case, the vulnerability resides in the storage management component, which is critical for handling data storage operations. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.4 reflects a high severity, with the vector indicating local attack vector (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), no user interaction (UI:N), unchanged scope (S:U), and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:H/I:H/A:H). This means an attacker with local access can exploit the flaw without needing elevated privileges or user interaction, potentially leading to full compromise of the affected system. Although no public exploits are currently known, the vulnerability's nature and impact suggest that exploitation could cause system instability, denial of service, or even remote code execution if combined with other vulnerabilities or attack vectors. The lack of available patches at the time of publication necessitates immediate attention from affected users and organizations. Given HarmonyOS's deployment in Huawei devices, including smartphones, IoT devices, and embedded systems, the vulnerability could affect a broad range of devices relying on secure storage management.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-58299 could be significant, particularly for those utilizing Huawei HarmonyOS devices in critical infrastructure, telecommunications, or enterprise environments. The vulnerability's ability to compromise confidentiality, integrity, and availability means sensitive data could be exposed or corrupted, and systems could experience outages or instability. This is especially concerning for sectors such as finance, healthcare, and government services where data protection and uptime are paramount. The local attack vector implies that attackers need some form of local access, which could be achieved through insider threats, compromised devices, or physical access. The absence of required privileges or user interaction lowers the barrier for exploitation once local access is obtained. Disruptions caused by this vulnerability could lead to operational downtime, financial losses, reputational damage, and regulatory non-compliance under frameworks like GDPR. Additionally, the widespread use of Huawei devices in European markets, despite geopolitical scrutiny, means that the vulnerability could affect a substantial user base. Organizations relying on HarmonyOS for IoT or edge computing deployments may face increased risk due to the difficulty of patching distributed devices promptly.

To mitigate CVE-2025-58299, European organizations should implement a multi-layered approach beyond generic patching advice. First, monitor Huawei's official channels closely for security updates or patches addressing this vulnerability and apply them immediately upon release. Until patches are available, restrict local access to devices running affected HarmonyOS versions by enforcing strict physical security controls and limiting administrative access to trusted personnel only. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of identifying anomalous behavior indicative of UAF exploitation, such as unexpected crashes or memory corruption events. Network segmentation can reduce the risk of lateral movement if a device is compromised. Additionally, conduct regular security audits and vulnerability assessments focused on Huawei devices to identify potential exposure. For IoT and embedded systems, implement secure boot and runtime integrity checks to detect unauthorized modifications. Educate staff about the risks of insider threats and the importance of device security hygiene. Finally, consider alternative platforms or vendors for critical deployments where feasible, to reduce dependency on potentially vulnerable systems.