CVE-2026-24917 is a use-after-free (CWE-416) vulnerability identified in the security module of Huawei's HarmonyOS, affecting versions 3.1.0, 4.0.0, 4.2.0, and 4.3.0. Use-after-free vulnerabilities occur when a program continues to use memory after it has been freed, leading to undefined behavior including potential execution of arbitrary code, data corruption, or system crashes. In this case, the vulnerability resides within a core security component, which increases the risk of significant impact. The CVSS 3.1 vector indicates the attack requires local access (AV:L), has high attack complexity (AC:H), requires low privileges (PR:L), and no user interaction (UI:N). The scope is unchanged (S:U), meaning the vulnerability affects only the vulnerable component. The impact metrics show high confidentiality impact (C:H), low integrity impact (I:L), and high availability impact (A:H), suggesting that exploitation could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information and denial of service conditions, but with limited ability to alter data. No public exploits are currently known, and no patches have been linked yet, indicating that mitigation options may be limited until official updates are released. The vulnerability was reserved on January 28, 2026, and published on February 6, 2026, reflecting recent discovery. Given the nature of the vulnerability and its location in the security module, attackers with local access could leverage this flaw to disrupt device availability or exfiltrate sensitive data, potentially undermining device trustworthiness and security posture.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2026-24917 lies in potential denial of service and confidentiality breaches on devices running affected HarmonyOS versions. This could disrupt business operations, especially in environments where Huawei devices are integrated into critical infrastructure or communication systems. The high confidentiality impact raises concerns about leakage of sensitive information, which could affect compliance with GDPR and other data protection regulations. The requirement for local access and high attack complexity somewhat limits the risk of widespread remote exploitation but does not eliminate insider threats or attacks via compromised local networks. Availability impacts could lead to operational downtime, affecting sectors such as telecommunications, manufacturing, and public services that may use HarmonyOS-powered devices. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk, but organizations should remain vigilant given the potential severity. The lack of patches at publication time means organizations must rely on compensating controls until updates are available.

1. Restrict local access to HarmonyOS devices by enforcing strict physical security and limiting user privileges to trusted personnel only. 2. Monitor and audit device usage logs to detect unusual local activity that could indicate exploitation attempts. 3. Implement network segmentation to isolate HarmonyOS devices from critical infrastructure to reduce the impact of potential compromise. 4. Apply principle of least privilege on devices and connected systems to minimize the attack surface. 5. Stay informed on Huawei security advisories and apply patches promptly once released. 6. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of identifying anomalous behaviors associated with use-after-free exploitation. 7. Conduct regular security training for staff to recognize and report suspicious activity involving local device access. 8. Where possible, consider alternative devices or OS platforms for critical functions until the vulnerability is resolved.