CVE-2025-68964 is a vulnerability identified in the HiView module of Huawei's HarmonyOS, affecting versions 5.0.1, 5.1.0, 5.1.1, and 6.0.0. The root cause is improper input validation (CWE-20), which means the module fails to adequately verify or sanitize incoming data before processing. This flaw can be exploited by an attacker with local access to the device, without requiring any privileges or user interaction, to disrupt system availability. The impact is primarily a denial-of-service condition, where the system or specific services may crash or become unresponsive due to malformed or malicious input. The vulnerability has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 6.2, reflecting a medium severity level. The attack vector is local (AV:L), meaning the attacker must have physical or logical local access to the device, limiting remote exploitation possibilities. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, and Huawei has not yet published patches or mitigations. The vulnerability highlights the importance of robust input validation in system modules that handle data processing to prevent service interruptions. Organizations using HarmonyOS devices should be aware of this risk and prepare to apply vendor patches once available.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-68964 is the potential disruption of services running on HarmonyOS devices due to denial-of-service conditions. This can affect availability of critical systems, especially in environments where HarmonyOS is deployed in IoT devices, industrial control systems, or enterprise mobile devices. Service outages could lead to operational downtime, loss of productivity, and potential cascading effects if dependent systems rely on affected devices. Although the attack requires local access, insider threats or compromised local networks could facilitate exploitation. The lack of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as attackers may develop exploits once the vulnerability details are public. European sectors with high reliance on Huawei technology, such as telecommunications, manufacturing, and public infrastructure, could face targeted disruptions. The vulnerability does not impact confidentiality or integrity directly but availability impacts can still have significant operational and financial consequences.

1. Restrict local access to HarmonyOS devices, ensuring only trusted personnel have physical or logical access. 2. Implement strict network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of devices running the vulnerable HiView module. 3. Monitor system logs and behavior for signs of abnormal input or service disruptions that could indicate exploitation attempts. 4. Apply input validation best practices at the application or system level where possible to detect and block malformed data before it reaches the vulnerable module. 5. Stay informed on Huawei security advisories and promptly apply patches or updates once they are released. 6. Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing focusing on local access scenarios to identify potential exploitation paths. 7. Develop incident response plans that include scenarios involving denial-of-service attacks on HarmonyOS devices to minimize downtime and recovery time. 8. Consider deploying endpoint protection solutions capable of detecting anomalous local activity related to input manipulation.