CVE-2022-46280 in Open Babel
Summary
by MITRE • 07/22/2023
A use of uninitialized pointer vulnerability exists in the PQS format pFormat functionality of Open Babel 3.1.1 and master commit 530dbfa3. A specially crafted malformed file can lead to arbitrary code execution. An attacker can provide a malicious file to trigger this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/15/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2022-46280 represents a critical use of uninitialized pointer issue within the Open Babel chemical file format processing library. This flaw specifically affects the PQS format pFormat functionality in Open Babel versions 3.1.1 and earlier, as well as the master branch up to commit 530dbfa3. The vulnerability stems from improper memory management practices where pointer variables are dereferenced without being properly initialized, creating a pathway for malicious code execution. The affected software is widely used in cheminformatics applications, molecular modeling, and chemical data processing environments, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations handling sensitive chemical data.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-457, which describes the use of uninitialized variables in software systems. When processing malformed PQS format files, the Open Babel library fails to initialize certain pointer variables before attempting to access their memory locations. This uninitialized pointer dereference creates a predictable memory access pattern that can be exploited by attackers to manipulate program execution flow. The vulnerability manifests during file parsing operations when the library encounters specially crafted malformed input that triggers the uninitialized pointer usage, potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to organizations relying on Open Babel for chemical data processing and analysis. Attackers can leverage this weakness by crafting malicious PQS format files that, when processed by vulnerable applications, will trigger the uninitialized pointer dereference. The arbitrary code execution capability means that attackers could potentially gain full control over systems running vulnerable versions of Open Babel, leading to data breaches, system compromise, or further lateral movement within networks. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in automated processing environments where files are automatically parsed without user intervention, as it could enable remote code execution through file upload or processing workflows.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2022-46280 primarily involves updating to patched versions of Open Babel where the uninitialized pointer issue has been resolved through proper memory initialization practices. Organizations should also implement input validation measures and file sanitization processes to prevent processing of potentially malicious PQS format files. Additionally, deploying network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious file processing patterns and implementing application whitelisting controls can provide defense-in-depth protection. Security teams should also consider monitoring for unusual file processing activities and ensure that all systems using Open Babel components are regularly updated with the latest security patches. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management practices in security-critical applications and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter usage, as exploitation could enable attackers to execute arbitrary commands through the vulnerable library functionality.