HarmonyOS CVE-2026-41964

Exploitation requires local code execution on a vulnerable HarmonyOS device, achieved through a malicious application or local user access. The PR:N metric indicates no elevated privileges are required - standard unprivileged application context is sufficient. The race condition vulnerability exists specifically in HarmonyOS's web component permission control mechanism, suggesting exploitation targets web rendering engine operations involving permission checks, likely when web content requests device capabilities or file system access. The attacker must trigger precise timing conditions to exploit the TOCTOU window between permission validation and enforcement, though AC:L indicates Huawei determined this timing is achievable with low complexity. No special HarmonyOS features need to be enabled beyond default web component functionality. Key limiting factors: attack is local-only (AV:L), requiring the attacker to already have code running on the device through app installation or physical access; remote exploitation requires chaining with a separate remote code execution vulnerability. The UI:N metric indicates no user interaction is needed once the malicious code is running, making exploitation reliable after initial device compromise.

Despite the high CVSS 8.4 score, real-world risk assessment requires contextual analysis. The CVSS vector (AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N) indicates local exploitation with low complexity and no user interaction, meaning malicious apps or local users can exploit this reliably. However, the local attack vector significantly limits exposure compared to network-based threats - attackers need existing device access or must chain this with another vulnerability for remote exploitation. The PR:N (no privileges required) component is concerning, suggesting even sandboxed applications might trigger the race condition. No CISA KEV listing or confirmed exploitation indicates this is not yet actively exploited in the wild, and no public POC has been identified. The race condition nature (CWE-362) makes exploitation timing-sensitive and potentially unreliable, though AC:L suggests Huawei confirmed reproducible exploitation conditions. Primary risk is to users running untrusted local applications or in shared device scenarios. Organizations should prioritize patching HarmonyOS devices but can deprioritize below actively exploited network-accessible vulnerabilities unless devices are in high-risk environments with untrusted local access.

An attacker develops a malicious application disguised as a legitimate utility and distributes it through third-party app stores or social engineering. When a user installs and runs this app on an unpatched HarmonyOS device, the malicious code exploits the race condition in the web component's permission control by rapidly submitting competing permission requests during state transitions. By winning the race between permission check and permission use, the attacker's code escalates from unprivileged context to gain unauthorized access to sensitive device data (high confidentiality impact), modify system files or settings (high integrity impact), and potentially render the device unstable or unusable (high availability impact). The low attack complexity (AC:L) and lack of required user interaction (UI:N) beyond initial app installation make this reliably exploitable once local code execution is achieved.