# CVE-2026-28733: OpenHarmony use-after-free arbitrary code execution

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-28733-openharmony-use-after-free-arbitrary-code-execution  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-05-19. Updated: 2026-05-19  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-28733 · Severity: medium · CVSS 6.5 · Published 2026-05-19

A security vulnerability has been identified in OpenHarmony, an open-source operating system designed for smart devices. A local attacker with basic access to a device could exploit this flaw to execute unauthorized commands or cause the system to crash. This could lead to a loss of device control or a disruption of services for users and organizations relying on OpenHarmony-powered hardware.

Technologies: [OpenHarmony](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/openharmony). Vendors: [OpenHarmony](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/openharmony).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-28733 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-28733 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-28733?** Medium severity, with a CVSS score of 6.5, published 19 May 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** OpenHarmony v6.0 and prior versions.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-28733?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-2026-28733 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-28733?** Check whether you run OpenHarmony at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Technical details

A use-after-free vulnerability (CWE-416) exists in OpenHarmony v6.0 and earlier versions. The flaw occurs when the system continues to use a pointer after it has been freed, which can be manipulated by a local attacker to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial-of-service (system crash). The attack requires local access with low privileges and no user interaction. While the CVSS vector provided by the CNA (AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:N/I:N/A:H) emphasizes high availability impact, the vulnerability description confirms the potential for arbitrary code execution. Users should refer to the OpenHarmony security disclosure for May 2026 for patching information.

## Affected products

- OpenHarmony OpenHarmony v6.0 and prior versions

## Timeline

- 2026-05-19: disclosed
- 2026-05-19: advisory

## References

- [https://gitcode.com/openharmony/security/tree/master/zh/security-disclosure/2026/2026-05.md](https://gitcode.com/openharmony/security/tree/master/zh/security-disclosure/2026/2026-05.md)

## Related threats

- [OpenHarmony signal handler race condition causing DOS](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-33565-openharmony-signal-handler-race-condition-causing-dos)
- [OpenHarmony denial of service via improper input validation](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-28751-openharmony-denial-of-service-via-improper-input-validation)
- [OpenHarmony integer overflow denial of service](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-27781-openharmony-integer-overflow-denial-of-service)
- [OpenHarmony signal handler race condition information leak](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-27766-openharmony-signal-handler-race-condition-information-leak)
- [OpenHarmony remote code execution in pre-installed apps](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-27648-openharmony-remote-code-execution-in-pre-installed-apps)