CVE-2026-24925 is a heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability classified under CWE-122, located in the image module of Huawei's HarmonyOS operating system, specifically affecting versions 5.1.0 and 6.0.0. A heap-based buffer overflow occurs when a program writes more data to a buffer located on the heap than it can hold, potentially overwriting adjacent memory and leading to unpredictable behavior, including crashes or code execution. In this case, the vulnerability impacts the availability of the system, as successful exploitation can cause the device to crash or become unresponsive. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.3 indicates a high severity, with the vector AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:H meaning the attack requires local access (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges (PR:N), no user interaction (UI:N), unchanged scope (S:U), low confidentiality and integrity impact (C:L/I:L), and high availability impact (A:H). No known exploits have been reported in the wild, and no patches have been released at the time of publication. The vulnerability's presence in the image module suggests it could be triggered by processing specially crafted image files or data, potentially by a malicious application or user. Since no authentication or user interaction is required, an attacker with local access could exploit this vulnerability to cause denial of service, disrupting device operation. The lack of patches emphasizes the need for immediate mitigation strategies to limit exposure. Given Huawei's significant market share in certain European countries, this vulnerability poses a tangible risk to organizations relying on HarmonyOS devices, especially in critical infrastructure or enterprise environments.

The primary impact of CVE-2026-24925 is on system availability, as exploitation can cause a denial-of-service condition by crashing the affected HarmonyOS device. For European organizations, this could translate into operational disruptions, particularly for enterprises and public sector entities using Huawei devices in their infrastructure or endpoints. The vulnerability also has a low but non-negligible impact on confidentiality and integrity, potentially allowing partial memory corruption. The requirement for local access limits remote exploitation but does not eliminate risk, especially in environments where devices are shared, or physical access controls are weak. Critical sectors such as telecommunications, government agencies, and enterprises with Huawei-based IoT or mobile devices could face service interruptions, impacting business continuity and user trust. Additionally, the absence of patches increases the window of exposure, potentially inviting targeted attacks once exploit techniques become publicly known. The impact is heightened in countries with higher Huawei device penetration and strategic reliance on Huawei technology, where disruptions could cascade into broader operational challenges.

1. Restrict local access to devices running affected HarmonyOS versions by enforcing strict physical security controls and limiting user permissions. 2. Monitor system logs and device behavior for abnormal crashes or instability that could indicate exploitation attempts. 3. Employ application whitelisting and restrict installation of untrusted or unsigned applications that might trigger the vulnerability. 4. Use network segmentation to isolate critical Huawei devices from less secure network zones to reduce the risk of lateral movement. 5. Regularly back up critical data and configurations to enable rapid recovery in case of denial-of-service incidents. 6. Stay informed about Huawei security advisories and apply patches or updates promptly once they become available. 7. Conduct security awareness training for users to recognize and report suspicious device behavior. 8. Consider deploying endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of identifying exploitation attempts targeting heap-based buffer overflows. 9. Evaluate the necessity of Huawei HarmonyOS devices in sensitive environments and consider alternative platforms if risk tolerance is low. 10. Collaborate with Huawei support channels to obtain guidance and early access to fixes.