CVE-2026-0639 in OpenHarmony
Summary
by MITRE • 03/16/2026
in OpenHarmony v6.0 and prior versions allow a local attacker case DOS through missing release of memory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/20/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2026-0639 represents a critical memory management flaw within OpenHarmony operating system versions 6.0 and earlier. This issue manifests as a local denial of service condition that occurs when the system fails to properly release allocated memory resources during normal operation. The flaw specifically impacts the kernel-level memory allocation mechanisms that govern how system resources are managed and distributed across various processes and services. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can trigger a sustained degradation of system performance or complete system unresponsiveness by consuming available memory resources without proper cleanup.
This memory leak vulnerability falls under the category of improper resource management as classified by CWE-404, where the system fails to properly release resources after their use has completed. The flaw operates at the kernel level within OpenHarmony's memory management subsystem, making it particularly dangerous as it can affect core system functionality and potentially compromise the entire device's operational integrity. The vulnerability is classified as a local attack vector since exploitation requires physical access or administrative privileges to execute malicious code that can trigger the memory allocation failure patterns.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system instability to encompass potential complete system failure and service disruption. When the memory management subsystem fails to release allocated memory blocks, the system gradually consumes available memory resources until system performance degrades significantly or the device becomes unresponsive. This type of vulnerability can be particularly problematic in embedded systems and IoT devices that rely on OpenHarmony for their core functionality, as these devices may not have robust recovery mechanisms or remote management capabilities to address such issues. The memory exhaustion can affect critical system services including device drivers, network management components, and user interface elements.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive memory management practices and regular system monitoring to detect anomalous resource consumption patterns. System administrators should ensure that all OpenHarmony devices are updated to versions that contain patches addressing this memory release issue. The implementation of automated memory monitoring tools can help detect early signs of memory leakage before they escalate into full denial of service conditions. Additionally, developers should follow secure coding practices that emphasize proper resource management and implement robust error handling mechanisms to ensure that allocated memory is always properly released regardless of execution paths. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability aligns with the T1499.004 technique related to network denial of service and can be categorized under the broader category of resource exhaustion attacks that target system stability and availability.