CVE-2025-25217 in OpenHarmony
Summary
by MITRE • 06/08/2025
in OpenHarmony v5.0.3 and prior versions allow a local attacker case DOS through NULL pointer dereference.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/08/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-25217 affects OpenHarmony versions 5.0.3 and earlier, representing a critical local privilege escalation issue that can lead to denial of service conditions. This flaw resides within the operating system's kernel or core components that handle system resources and process management, creating a pathway for malicious actors with local access to disrupt normal system operations. The vulnerability manifests as a NULL pointer dereference, a common programming error where an application attempts to access memory through a pointer that has not been properly initialized or has been set to null, resulting in system instability and potential complete system failure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory management practices within OpenHarmony's system architecture. When certain system calls or kernel functions process data from local users, they fail to properly check for null pointer conditions before attempting to dereference pointers that may not point to valid memory locations. This type of error falls under CWE-476 which specifically addresses NULL pointer dereference vulnerabilities, making it a well-documented weakness in software security practices. The flaw can be exploited by local attackers who have legitimate access to the system, as the vulnerability does not require external network access or special privileges beyond what is already available to the user.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system disruption, as it can be leveraged to create persistent denial of service conditions that may require system reboot to resolve. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that trigger the NULL pointer dereference when the system processes specific inputs or executes particular functions, leading to kernel panics or system crashes that prevent normal operation of critical services. This vulnerability is particularly concerning in embedded systems or IoT environments where OpenHarmony is commonly deployed, as system downtime can have cascading effects on connected devices and infrastructure. The attack surface is broad since local access is sufficient for exploitation, making it difficult to prevent without proper access controls and system hardening measures.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-25217 should focus on immediate patch deployment for all affected OpenHarmony installations, with particular attention to systems running version 5.0.3 or earlier. Organizations should implement comprehensive system monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and establish automated alerting for unusual system behavior that might indicate denial of service conditions. Network segmentation and least privilege access controls can help limit the potential impact of local exploitation by restricting access to critical system resources. Additionally, system administrators should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify other potential NULL pointer dereference issues within the OpenHarmony ecosystem and implement proper code review processes that include static analysis tools to detect similar memory management errors. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499 which covers resource exhaustion attacks, and represents a clear example of how improper memory handling can lead to system stability compromises that affect overall operational security posture.