CVE-2025-66325 identifies a permissions and access control vulnerability (CWE-264) within the package management module of Huawei's HarmonyOS, affecting versions 2.0.0 through 4.3.1. The flaw allows an attacker with local access to bypass permission checks, thereby gaining unauthorized access to confidential service data. According to the CVSS 3.1 vector (AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N), the attack requires local access but no privileges or user interaction, with low attack complexity. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality but does not affect integrity or availability. The package management module is critical for installing and managing software packages, so improper permission controls here can expose sensitive service information or configurations. No public exploits or patches are currently available, indicating the vulnerability is newly disclosed. The lack of required privileges suggests that any local user or process could exploit this, increasing risk in multi-user or shared device environments. The vulnerability's scope is limited to local access, reducing remote exploitation risk but still posing a threat in scenarios where attackers gain physical or local network access. This vulnerability highlights the importance of robust permission enforcement in OS components managing software lifecycle operations.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a confidentiality risk primarily in environments where Huawei HarmonyOS devices are deployed, such as mobile devices, IoT endpoints, or embedded systems. Sensitive service data could be exposed to unauthorized local users or malicious processes, potentially leading to information leakage or aiding further attacks. Sectors like telecommunications, government, and critical infrastructure using Huawei devices may face increased risk due to the strategic importance of their data. Although the vulnerability does not affect integrity or availability, confidentiality breaches can undermine trust, violate data protection regulations such as GDPR, and cause reputational damage. The requirement for local access limits the attack surface but does not eliminate risk in scenarios involving insider threats, compromised endpoints, or physical access. The absence of known exploits suggests a window of opportunity for proactive mitigation before active exploitation emerges.

European organizations should implement strict local access controls on Huawei HarmonyOS devices, including enforcing strong authentication and limiting user privileges to trusted personnel only. Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to monitor for unusual local activities related to package management operations. Network segmentation and device hardening can reduce the likelihood of unauthorized local access. Organizations should maintain an inventory of devices running affected HarmonyOS versions and prioritize them for monitoring and eventual patching. Since no patches are currently available, coordinate with Huawei for timely updates and apply them promptly once released. Additionally, consider disabling or restricting package management functionalities where feasible to limit attack vectors. Conduct security awareness training to mitigate insider threats and physical access risks. Finally, integrate this vulnerability into risk assessments and incident response plans to ensure preparedness.