CVE-2025-64312 is a permission control vulnerability classified under CWE-200 (Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor) found in the file management module of Huawei's HarmonyOS. The vulnerability affects versions 5.0.1, 5.1.0, and 6.0.0 of the operating system. The flaw allows an attacker to bypass permission controls and gain unauthorized access to sensitive files or data managed by the file management component. According to the CVSS 3.1 vector (AV:P/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:L/A:N), exploitation requires network access (possibly local or VPN), low attack complexity, no privileges, and some user interaction, such as clicking a link or opening a file. The impact primarily compromises confidentiality with a high impact rating, while integrity is slightly affected and availability remains unaffected. The vulnerability does not require elevated privileges, making it accessible to a broader range of attackers, but user interaction is necessary, which somewhat limits exploitation scope. No public exploits or patches have been released as of the publication date (November 28, 2025). The vulnerability could expose sensitive user data or system information, potentially leading to privacy breaches or information leakage. The file management module is a critical component responsible for handling file operations, so unauthorized access here could reveal confidential documents or system files. Given Huawei's significant market share in mobile devices and IoT products running HarmonyOS, this vulnerability poses a tangible risk to users and organizations relying on these devices. The lack of a patch necessitates immediate mitigation efforts to reduce exposure.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-64312 is the potential unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information stored or managed on Huawei devices running affected versions of HarmonyOS. This could include personal data, corporate documents, or system configuration files, leading to privacy violations, intellectual property theft, or competitive disadvantage. Sectors such as telecommunications, government, finance, and critical infrastructure that may use Huawei devices extensively are at higher risk. The confidentiality breach could also undermine compliance with data protection regulations like GDPR, exposing organizations to legal and financial penalties. Although the vulnerability does not affect system integrity or availability, the exposure of sensitive information can facilitate further attacks or espionage. The requirement for user interaction reduces the likelihood of widespread automated exploitation but does not eliminate targeted phishing or social engineering attacks. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently limits immediate risk, but the medium severity rating indicates a need for proactive defense. Organizations relying on HarmonyOS devices should assess their exposure and implement compensating controls to prevent unauthorized access and data leakage.

1. Restrict network access to Huawei devices running affected HarmonyOS versions by implementing network segmentation and firewall rules to limit exposure to trusted users and systems only. 2. Enforce strict user interaction policies, including user education to recognize and avoid phishing attempts or suspicious links that could trigger exploitation. 3. Monitor file access logs and system events on affected devices for unusual or unauthorized file operations indicative of exploitation attempts. 4. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of detecting anomalous behaviors related to file management modules. 5. Coordinate with Huawei for timely updates and patches; apply security updates immediately once available. 6. Consider temporary removal or replacement of critical Huawei devices running vulnerable versions in high-risk environments until patches are deployed. 7. Implement data encryption and access controls on sensitive files to reduce the impact of unauthorized access. 8. Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability assessments focusing on mobile and IoT devices within the organizational network. 9. Use multi-factor authentication and strong access controls to reduce the risk of unauthorized user interaction leading to exploitation.