CVE-2022-46291 is a high-severity out-of-bounds write vulnerability in openbabel (pip), affecting versions < 3.2.0. It is fixed in 3.2.0.
Summary A memory-safety vulnerability in Open Babel's Gaussian output parser allowed an out-of-bounds write into the translationVectors[] array when reading a crafted input file. Details The Gaussian reader stored periodic-cell translation vectors into a fixed-size translationVectors[] array. A malformed input could push more vectors than the array had slots, causing a write past the end of the array. This is one of five translationVectors[] OOB writes across formats (Gaussian, MOPAC, MOPAC IN, MSI) reported in the TALOS 2022 batch. Impact Open Babel is a C++ library and CLI used to read and write chemistry file formats; it is shipped by Linux distributions and embedded in services that may parse untrusted input. Triggering this vulnerability requires the victim to open a malicious Gaussian output file with the obabel tool, the OBConversion API, or any of the language bindings (Python, Ruby, Java, R, Perl, C#, PHP). Affected versions All releases up to and including 3.1.1. Patched version 3.2.0 (released 2026-05-26). Patch Fix commit: https://github.com/openbabel/openbabel/commit/40e85213 A minimized reproducer for this CVE is checked in under test/files/fuzz_regress/ and is exercised on every CI build under ASAN+UBSAN by the fuzzregresstest harness. Credit Reported by Cisco TALOS.
A write operation targets a memory location beyond the intended buffer boundary. Typical impact: memory corruption, crash, or arbitrary code execution.
CVE-2022-46291 has a CVSS score of 7.8 (High). The vector is requires local access, no privileges required, and user interaction required. A CVSS score reflects the worst-case severity of the vulnerability, not your specific exposure. Whether this affects your application depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable in your environment.
A fixed version is available (3.2.0). Upgrading removes the vulnerable code path.
pip
openbabel (< 3.2.0)openbabel → 3.2.0 (pip)Severity tells you how bad this could be in the worst case. It does not tell you whether you are exposed. Exploitability and impact are functions of runtime truth: whether the vulnerable code is present, reachable, and actually executes in your application. A vulnerable package can sit in your dependency tree and never run.
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Already deployed Kodem? See CVE-2022-46291 in your environment →Upgrade openbabel to 3.2.0 or later to resolve this vulnerability.
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CVE-2022-46291 is a high-severity out-of-bounds write vulnerability in openbabel (pip), affecting versions < 3.2.0. It is fixed in 3.2.0. A write operation targets a memory location beyond the intended buffer boundary.
CVE-2022-46291 has a CVSS score of 7.8 (High). This score reflects the worst-case severity of the vulnerability, not your specific exposure. Whether it represents real risk in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable.
openbabel (pip) versions < 3.2.0 is affected.
Yes. CVE-2022-46291 is fixed in 3.2.0. Upgrade to this version or later.
Whether CVE-2022-46291 is exploitable in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable. A CVSS score is a worst-case rating; it does not account for your specific deployment, configuration, or usage patterns. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to show which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so you can focus on the ones that represent real risk. Get a demo
Exploitability and impact are not fixed properties of a CVE. They depend on runtime truth: whether the vulnerable code is present, reachable, and actually executes in your application. A high CVSS score on a dependency that never runs is not the same as real risk. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to reveal which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so teams prioritize the ones that genuinely matter.
Upgrade openbabel to 3.2.0 or later.