CVE-2022-46292 in Open Babel
Summary
by MITRE • 07/22/2023
Multiple out-of-bounds write vulnerabilities exist in the translationVectors parsing functionality in multiple supported formats 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.This vulnerability affects the MOPAC file format, inside the Unit Cell Translation section
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/16/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2022-46292 represents a critical out-of-bounds write flaw within the Open Babel chemical data processing library version 3.1.1 and subsequent master branch commits. This issue manifests specifically within the translationVectors parsing functionality when handling multiple supported file formats, with particular emphasis on the MOPAC file format's Unit Cell Translation section. The flaw arises from insufficient input validation and boundary checking during the parsing of structured chemical data, creating a pathway for attackers to execute arbitrary code on systems processing affected files. Open Babel serves as a crucial chemical informatics tool that converts between numerous chemical file formats, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous given its potential to compromise systems handling diverse chemical datasets.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management during the parsing of translation vectors within chemical coordinate systems. When processing MOPAC files, the software fails to validate array bounds when reading the Unit Cell Translation section, allowing an attacker to craft malicious input that exceeds allocated memory boundaries. This out-of-bounds write condition can overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting program state or injecting malicious code into the execution flow. The vulnerability's exploitation requires careful crafting of a malformed MOPAC file that triggers the specific parsing path within the translationVectors functionality, making it a targeted attack vector rather than a broad system compromise. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-787 Out-of-bounds Write, which specifically addresses buffer overflow conditions where data is written beyond the boundaries of allocated memory regions.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-46292 extends beyond simple code execution, as it represents a privilege escalation vector that could allow remote attackers to gain unauthorized system access through chemical data processing workflows. Systems utilizing Open Babel for automated chemical file conversion, molecular structure analysis, or database integration are particularly vulnerable when processing untrusted input files. The vulnerability's presence in the master branch indicates ongoing risk for users who have not yet updated to patched versions, while the specific mention of the MOPAC format suggests targeted attacks against computational chemistry environments where such files are commonly processed. Organizations maintaining chemical databases, pharmaceutical research facilities, or academic institutions using Open Babel for molecular modeling face significant exposure risks, as the attack surface includes any system that processes chemical files from external sources or allows user-uploaded content.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-46292 require immediate software updates to patched versions of Open Babel that address the buffer overflow conditions in translationVectors parsing. System administrators should implement input validation policies that sanitize chemical file formats before processing, particularly for files originating from untrusted sources. Network segmentation and access controls should limit exposure of systems running Open Babel to only necessary users and processes. Security monitoring should focus on detecting unusual file processing patterns or memory access anomalies that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 Command and Scripting Interpreter: Python, as the exploitation typically occurs through the processing of malicious chemical data files that trigger the vulnerable parsing code. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxed environments for chemical file processing and regular security audits of chemical informatics workflows to identify additional potential attack vectors.