CVE-2025-66324 is a vulnerability identified in Huawei's HarmonyOS, specifically affecting versions 5.0.1 and 5.1.0. The root cause is improper privilege management (CWE-269) within the compression and decompression module, where input verification is insufficient. This flaw allows an attacker with local access to exploit the vulnerability without requiring authentication or user interaction. The CVSS 3.1 score of 8.4 reflects high severity, with impacts rated as high on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Exploitation could enable an attacker to manipulate or corrupt app data, potentially leading to data loss or unauthorized data modification. The vulnerability is local vector (AV:L), meaning remote exploitation is not feasible without prior access. No patches are currently linked, and no known exploits have been reported in the wild, indicating it is a newly disclosed issue. The vulnerability's presence in a core OS component used for data compression means that multiple applications relying on this module could be indirectly affected. The improper privilege management suggests that the module may execute operations with elevated privileges without proper checks, increasing the risk of privilege escalation or unauthorized data manipulation. Given Huawei's significant market share in mobile and IoT devices, especially in certain European markets, this vulnerability poses a tangible risk to organizations using HarmonyOS-based devices or applications.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-66324 could be substantial, particularly for those relying on Huawei HarmonyOS devices for critical business operations or data processing. The vulnerability's ability to compromise app data integrity threatens the reliability and trustworthiness of business applications, potentially leading to data corruption, loss, or unauthorized modification. This could disrupt business processes, cause financial losses, and damage reputations. Since exploitation requires local access, insider threats or attackers who gain physical or network-level access to devices pose the greatest risk. The high confidentiality impact also raises concerns about sensitive data exposure. Industries such as telecommunications, manufacturing, and public sector entities using Huawei devices may face increased risk. Additionally, the lack of current patches means organizations must rely on compensating controls until updates are available. The vulnerability could also affect supply chain security if HarmonyOS devices are integrated into critical infrastructure or IoT environments.

1. Monitor Huawei's official channels closely for the release of security patches addressing CVE-2025-66324 and apply them promptly once available. 2. Restrict local access to HarmonyOS devices by enforcing strict physical security controls and limiting administrative privileges to trusted personnel only. 3. Implement endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of monitoring unusual activity related to compression/decompression operations or privilege escalations on HarmonyOS devices. 4. Conduct regular audits of device configurations and installed applications to identify and isolate vulnerable systems. 5. Employ network segmentation to limit the exposure of vulnerable devices to untrusted networks or users. 6. Educate users and administrators about the risks of local exploitation and enforce policies to prevent unauthorized device access. 7. For organizations deploying HarmonyOS in IoT or embedded systems, consider additional hardening measures such as application whitelisting and runtime integrity checks. 8. Collaborate with Huawei support to obtain guidance and potential workarounds until official patches are released.