Arbitrary code execution via unchecked translation vector indexing
Published Jul 21, 2023 · Updated Nov 4, 2025
Out-of-bounds write in Open Babel 3.1.1 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code by supplying a malformed MSI file for parsing. MSIFormat::ReadMolecule appends attacker-controlled coordinates to the three-element translationVectors array while six-token lines continue, without bounding numTranslationVectors. Exploitation requires an affected CLI, library API, binding, or embedded service to parse the crafted file, enabling stack corruption and code execution in that process.
Summary
What happened
Out-of-bounds write in Open Babel 3.1.1 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code by supplying a malformed MSI file for parsing. MSIFormat::ReadMolecule appends attacker-controlled coordinates to the three-element translationVectors array while six-token lines continue, without bounding numTranslationVectors. Exploitation requires an affected CLI, library API, binding, or embedded service to parse the crafted file, enabling stack corruption and code execution in that process.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2022-46291
- Published
- Jul 21, 2023
- Updated
- Nov 4, 2025
- Vendor
- Open Babel
- Product
- Open Babel
- Classifications
- CWE-119, CWE-787, T1203
- Attack vector
- network
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Jul 21, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Nov 4, 2025Record 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.
- Affected versionversion=3.1.1
- Affected versionversion=master commit 530dbfa3
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
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.
Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
- Talos MSI PeriodicType proof of conceptproof of concept · demonstrated
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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