CVE-2025-68955 Overview
CVE-2025-68955 is a multi-thread race condition vulnerability identified in the card framework module of Huawei HarmonyOS. This vulnerability arises from improper synchronization between concurrent threads accessing shared resources within the card framework, potentially leading to system instability and denial of service conditions.
Critical Impact
Successful exploitation of this vulnerability may affect system availability, causing application crashes or device instability on affected HarmonyOS devices.
Affected Products
- Huawei HarmonyOS 6.0.0
- Huawei laptops running HarmonyOS
- Huawei wearable devices running HarmonyOS
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-01-14 - CVE-2025-68955 published to NVD
- 2026-01-15 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-68955
Vulnerability Analysis
This race condition vulnerability (CWE-362) exists within the card framework module of HarmonyOS. Race conditions occur when the behavior of software depends on the sequence or timing of uncontrollable events such as thread execution order. In this case, multiple threads accessing the card framework module can enter a race condition state when proper synchronization mechanisms are absent or improperly implemented.
The vulnerability requires local access to the device and has high attack complexity, meaning an attacker would need to win a race condition to successfully exploit it. While the attack requires low privileges, it does not require user interaction. Successful exploitation results in a denial of service condition affecting system availability, though confidentiality and integrity are not impacted.
Root Cause
The root cause of CVE-2025-68955 lies in insufficient thread synchronization within the card framework module. When multiple threads attempt to access or modify shared data structures simultaneously without proper locking mechanisms, the system enters an inconsistent state. This Time-of-Check Time-of-Use (TOCTOU) pattern allows one thread to modify data between when another thread checks a condition and when it uses the result of that check.
Attack Vector
The attack vector is local, requiring an attacker to have existing access to the HarmonyOS device. The attacker would need to trigger multiple concurrent operations within the card framework module to create the race condition. Due to the high complexity required to successfully exploit this timing-dependent vulnerability, the attacker must precisely manipulate thread execution to win the race and cause the denial of service condition.
The vulnerability affects the availability of the system by potentially causing the card framework module to crash or enter an undefined state when the race condition is triggered.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-68955
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected application crashes related to card framework services
- System logs showing thread synchronization errors or deadlock conditions
- Repeated card framework module restarts or recovery attempts
- Performance degradation in card-related operations on HarmonyOS devices
Detection Strategies
- Monitor system logs for race condition indicators such as concurrent access violations or thread contention warnings
- Implement application-level monitoring for card framework module stability
- Deploy endpoint detection solutions capable of identifying abnormal process behavior patterns
- Review crash dumps for evidence of race condition exploitation attempts
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable verbose logging for the card framework module to capture thread timing anomalies
- Configure alerting on repeated service restarts or crash recovery events
- Monitor device stability metrics and flag devices exhibiting unusual restart patterns
- Implement SentinelOne Singularity Platform for behavioral detection of exploitation attempts targeting system availability
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-68955
Immediate Actions Required
- Update affected HarmonyOS devices to the latest security patch level as indicated in Huawei's January 2026 security bulletin
- Limit local access to devices to authorized users only
- Monitor affected devices for signs of exploitation or instability
- Review and restrict application permissions that may interact with the card framework module
Patch Information
Huawei has addressed this vulnerability in their January 2026 security bulletins. Organizations should apply patches as soon as possible by updating HarmonyOS to the latest available version. Detailed patch information is available through the following official Huawei security advisories:
- Huawei Security Bulletin - Consumer
- Huawei Laptop Security Bulletin
- Huawei Wearables Security Bulletin
Workarounds
- Restrict local device access to trusted users and applications until patches can be applied
- Disable or limit functionality dependent on the card framework module if operationally feasible
- Implement additional access controls to reduce the attack surface for local exploitation
- Monitor for and respond to any stability issues that may indicate exploitation attempts
# Check HarmonyOS version and security patch level
# Navigate to: Settings > About device > Version
# Ensure security patch level is January 2026 or later
# Update via: Settings > System & updates > Software update
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
