CVE-2026-24931 Overview
CVE-2026-24931 is an improper criterion security check vulnerability affecting the card module in Huawei HarmonyOS. This authorization bypass vulnerability exists due to insufficient validation of security criteria within the card module component, potentially allowing a local attacker with low privileges to access sensitive information that should be restricted.
The vulnerability stems from improper access control mechanisms (CWE-264) where the card module fails to properly verify authorization criteria before granting access to protected resources. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized disclosure of confidential service data.
Critical Impact
Successful exploitation of this vulnerability may allow local attackers to bypass security controls and access confidential service information, compromising the confidentiality of sensitive data on affected HarmonyOS devices.
Affected Products
- Huawei HarmonyOS version 5.1.0
- Huawei HarmonyOS version 6.0.0
- Huawei HarmonyOS-based laptops and devices
Discovery Timeline
- February 6, 2026 - CVE-2026-24931 published to NVD
- February 9, 2026 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-24931
Vulnerability Analysis
This vulnerability represents an authorization bypass condition within the card module of HarmonyOS. The card module is responsible for managing widget-like UI components and their associated data access permissions. The flaw allows a local attacker who has already gained low-level access to the device to potentially read confidential information that should be protected by the module's security controls.
The vulnerability requires local access to the device and does not require user interaction to exploit. While the scope remains unchanged (meaning the vulnerable component and impacted component are the same), the potential for high confidentiality impact makes this a significant concern for enterprise environments and users who store sensitive data on their HarmonyOS devices.
Root Cause
The root cause of CVE-2026-24931 lies in improper access control validation within the card module's security check mechanism. The module fails to properly validate authorization criteria when processing requests, allowing authenticated local users with minimal privileges to access resources that should require elevated permissions. This represents a classic CWE-264 (Permissions, Privileges, and Access Controls) weakness where the security boundaries between privilege levels are not adequately enforced.
Attack Vector
The attack vector for this vulnerability is local, meaning an attacker must have some level of access to the target device to exploit it. The exploitation scenario involves:
- An attacker gains initial low-privilege access to a HarmonyOS device
- The attacker interacts with the card module component
- Due to improper criterion validation, the module fails to properly verify the attacker's authorization level
- The attacker gains unauthorized access to confidential service information
The vulnerability does not require user interaction and has low attack complexity, making it relatively straightforward to exploit once local access is obtained.
The vulnerability exists within the card module's authorization validation logic. When processing access requests, the module should verify that the requesting entity has appropriate permissions. However, due to improper implementation of security criterion checks, certain authorization validations can be bypassed. For detailed technical information, refer to the Huawei Security Bulletin 2026-2.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-24931
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected access patterns to card module resources from low-privilege processes
- Anomalous system calls or API requests targeting the card module from unauthorized applications
- Log entries indicating permission checks being bypassed or skipped in the card module
- Unusual data exfiltration activities from HarmonyOS devices following card module interactions
Detection Strategies
- Monitor system logs for unauthorized access attempts to card module protected resources
- Implement application behavior monitoring to detect processes accessing card module APIs outside normal patterns
- Deploy endpoint detection solutions capable of identifying privilege escalation attempts on HarmonyOS devices
- Review and audit application permissions to identify apps that may attempt to exploit this vulnerability
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable verbose logging for the card module component to capture detailed access request information
- Implement alerting for failed and succeeded access attempts to sensitive card module resources
- Monitor for unusual process behavior following card module interactions that may indicate data access
- Regularly review device security posture and installed application permissions
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-24931
Immediate Actions Required
- Update HarmonyOS devices to the latest patched version as indicated in Huawei's February 2026 security bulletin
- Review and restrict application installation sources to minimize attack surface
- Audit installed applications and remove any untrusted or unnecessary software
- Enable device encryption to protect sensitive data at rest
Patch Information
Huawei has addressed this vulnerability in their February 2026 security bulletin. Users and administrators should apply the latest HarmonyOS system updates to remediate this vulnerability. Patch information and update instructions are available through the following official Huawei resources:
Administrators managing enterprise fleets of HarmonyOS devices should prioritize deployment of this security update through their mobile device management (MDM) solutions.
Workarounds
- Restrict physical access to HarmonyOS devices to prevent unauthorized local access
- Limit the installation of third-party applications to reduce the potential attack surface
- Implement strict application vetting processes before allowing installation on managed devices
- Consider network segmentation for devices that cannot be immediately patched
# Check HarmonyOS version to verify patch status
# Navigate to Settings > About device > Build number
# Ensure the security patch level is February 2026 or later
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
