CVE-2025-58305 is a vulnerability identified in Huawei's HarmonyOS, specifically affecting the Gallery application in version 5.0.1. The flaw is categorized under CWE-200, which involves the exposure of sensitive information to unauthorized actors due to an identity authentication bypass. This means that the Gallery app fails to properly verify the identity of users attempting to access certain functionalities or data, allowing unauthorized users to bypass authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability's CVSS 3.1 vector is AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H, indicating that exploitation requires local access but no privileges or user interaction, and it impacts availability rather than confidentiality or integrity directly. However, the description notes an impact on service confidentiality, suggesting that sensitive information could be indirectly exposed or service disruption could lead to confidentiality risks. The vulnerability was reserved in August 2025 and published in November 2025, with no known exploits in the wild to date. The absence of patches at the time of reporting means that affected users must rely on interim mitigations. Given the nature of the vulnerability, attackers with local access to devices running the affected HarmonyOS version could exploit this flaw to bypass authentication controls in the Gallery app, potentially accessing or disrupting sensitive data or services. This vulnerability highlights a critical weakness in the identity verification process within a core system application, which could undermine user trust and data security on affected devices.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-58305 depends largely on the extent of Huawei HarmonyOS device deployment within their infrastructure or employee base. Organizations using Huawei smartphones or IoT devices running HarmonyOS 5.0.1 could face risks of unauthorized local access to sensitive media or data stored within the Gallery app. This could lead to exposure of confidential information, disruption of services relying on the Gallery app, or broader compromise if the vulnerability is chained with other exploits. The requirement for local access limits remote exploitation, but insider threats or physical device access scenarios become critical concerns. The impact on availability (as per CVSS) could translate into denial of service conditions affecting user productivity or critical workflows. Given Huawei's significant market share in certain European countries, especially in telecommunications and consumer devices, this vulnerability could affect sectors such as government, telecommunications, and enterprises relying on Huawei hardware. Additionally, the confidentiality impact, while not directly scored in CVSS, could have regulatory implications under GDPR if personal data is exposed. The lack of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not preclude targeted attacks or future exploit development.

1. Immediate mitigation should focus on restricting physical and local access to devices running HarmonyOS 5.0.1, including enforcing strict device usage policies and securing endpoints against unauthorized access. 2. Monitor device logs and user activity for unusual access patterns to the Gallery app or other sensitive applications. 3. Implement device encryption and strong lock-screen authentication to reduce the risk of unauthorized local access. 4. Coordinate with Huawei for timely release and deployment of official patches addressing CVE-2025-58305. 5. Where possible, limit the use of the affected Gallery app or replace it with alternative secure media management solutions until patches are available. 6. Conduct user awareness training to highlight the risks of leaving devices unattended or accessible to unauthorized personnel. 7. For organizations with mobile device management (MDM) solutions, enforce policies that can remotely lock or wipe devices if suspicious activity is detected. 8. Review and update incident response plans to include scenarios involving local device compromise and data exposure through application vulnerabilities.