CVE-2022-38999Network attack vector

Data and service impact via incorrect reference counting

Published Sep 16, 2022 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

Improper reference-count handling in Huawei's AOD module in HarmonyOS 2.0 and EMUI 12.0.0 allows remote attackers to cause unspecified impact. Huawei discloses only that the AOD module updates a reference count incorrectly; the affected function and attacker-controlled input remain unpublished. Network reachability is indicated by NVD scoring, while the documented consequence is limited to unspecified effects on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

CVSS severity9.8
Critical
EPSS probability0.62%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Improper reference-count handling in Huawei's AOD module in HarmonyOS 2.0 and EMUI 12.0.0 allows remote attackers to cause unspecified impact. Huawei discloses only that the AOD module updates a reference count incorrectly; the affected function and attacker-controlled input remain unpublished. Network reachability is indicated by NVD scoring, while the documented consequence is limited to unspecified effects on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

The record

CVE
CVE-2022-38999
Published
Sep 16, 2022
Updated
Aug 3, 2024
Vendor
Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
Product
HarmonyOS
Classifications
Unavailable
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Sep 16, 2022CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 3, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=2.0

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. · HarmonyOSversion=2.0
MindSpore · EMUIversion=12.0.0

Published CVSS scores

9.8NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

No sourced classifications are available.

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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