CVE-2025-66330 is a vulnerability identified in Huawei's HarmonyOS, specifically impacting the file management application across versions 5.0.1, 5.1.0, and 6.0.0. The flaw is categorized under CWE-200, indicating exposure of sensitive information to unauthorized actors. Technically, the vulnerability arises from an app lock verification bypass, which means that the security mechanism intended to restrict access to files within the file management app can be circumvented. This bypass allows an attacker with local access to the device to gain unauthorized access to sensitive files without proper authentication. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 4.9 (medium severity), with vector AV:P/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:H/A:N. This indicates that the attack requires physical proximity (physical access), low attack complexity, no privileges, and user interaction, affecting confidentiality to a limited extent but with a high impact on integrity. The vulnerability does not affect availability. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, and no official patches have been released at the time of publication. The vulnerability's presence in a core system app like the file manager raises concerns about potential unauthorized data disclosure, which could lead to privacy violations or leakage of sensitive corporate or personal information.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-66330 lies in the potential unauthorized exposure of sensitive information stored on Huawei devices running affected HarmonyOS versions. This risk is particularly significant for sectors that handle confidential data such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure. The vulnerability requires physical access and user interaction, which somewhat limits remote exploitation but raises concerns about insider threats, device theft, or unauthorized physical access scenarios. Exposure of sensitive files could lead to data breaches, loss of intellectual property, or compromise of personal data, potentially violating GDPR and other data protection regulations. The integrity impact indicated by the CVSS vector suggests that unauthorized modification or tampering with files may also be possible, increasing the risk of data manipulation or sabotage. Although no availability impact is noted, the confidentiality and integrity risks alone warrant attention. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate urgency but does not eliminate the threat, especially as attackers may develop exploits over time.

To mitigate the risks posed by CVE-2025-66330, European organizations should implement several targeted measures: 1) Enforce strict physical security controls to prevent unauthorized access to devices, including secure storage and access policies. 2) Educate users about the importance of not leaving devices unattended and recognizing suspicious activity requiring user interaction. 3) Monitor device usage and file access logs for unusual patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. 4) Limit the use of Huawei HarmonyOS devices in sensitive environments until patches are available. 5) Establish a rapid patch management process to apply security updates as soon as Huawei releases fixes. 6) Consider deploying mobile device management (MDM) solutions to enforce security policies, including app lock configurations and remote wipe capabilities. 7) Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing focusing on mobile device security. 8) Coordinate with Huawei support channels to receive timely vulnerability disclosures and patches. These measures go beyond generic advice by focusing on physical security, user awareness, and proactive monitoring tailored to the vulnerability's exploitation requirements.