CVE-2025-10997 in Open Babel
Summary
by MITRE • 09/26/2025
A flaw has been found in Open Babel up to 3.1.1. Impacted is the function ChemKinFormat::CheckSpecies of the file /src/formats/chemkinformat.cpp. Executing manipulation can lead to heap-based buffer overflow. The attack can only be executed locally. The exploit has been published and may be used.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/30/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-10997 resides within Open Babel version 3.1.1 and earlier, specifically within the ChemKinFormat::CheckSpecies function located in the file /src/formats/chemkinformat.cpp. This flaw represents a heap-based buffer overflow that occurs when processing certain chemical kinetic data formats. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it affects the parsing of Chemkin format files, which are commonly used in computational chemistry and molecular modeling applications. The issue stems from insufficient bounds checking during the processing of input data, allowing an attacker to potentially manipulate memory allocation patterns through crafted input sequences.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic heap overflow scenario where the function fails to properly validate the size of input data before attempting to copy or process it into allocated memory buffers. This flaw is classified under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, though the specific implementation in this case involves heap memory management. The vulnerability occurs when the ChemKinFormat::CheckSpecies function processes chemical species definitions that contain malformed or excessively large data structures, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code or cause application crashes. The local execution requirement means that an attacker must already have access to the system to leverage this vulnerability, though this limitation does not reduce its potential impact on systems where such access is possible.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios as it provides a potential pathway for privilege escalation or code execution within the context of applications that utilize Open Babel for chemical data processing. Systems that rely on Open Babel for parsing chemical kinetic data, particularly those used in scientific computing environments, research laboratories, or industrial applications, could be compromised. The fact that an exploit has been published and may be used indicates that this vulnerability is not merely theoretical but represents an active threat in the cybersecurity landscape. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where automated chemical data processing occurs, as malicious input could be introduced through various vectors including compromised data files, networked chemical databases, or automated workflows that process chemical information.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-10997 should prioritize immediate patching of Open Babel installations to versions that address this heap overflow vulnerability. Organizations should implement strict input validation procedures for any chemical data processing workflows that utilize Open Babel, particularly when dealing with external or untrusted data sources. The implementation of memory safety techniques such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and heap integrity checks can provide additional defense-in-depth measures. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit local execution capabilities, as the vulnerability requires local execution to be exploited. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any other potential vulnerabilities in chemical data processing pipelines. Organizations should also consider adopting secure coding practices that emphasize bounds checking and memory management, aligning with the principles outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework for software supply chain attacks and privilege escalation techniques. The vulnerability's classification as a local privilege escalation vector means that organizations should also review their system access controls and user permissions to minimize potential impact from successful exploitation attempts.