### Summary A memory-safety vulnerability in Open Babel's MOPAC output parser allowed an out-of-bounds write into the `translationVectors[]` array when reading the "UNIT CELL TRANSLATION" block of a crafted input file. ### Details The MOPAC output reader stored translation vectors from the UNIT CELL TRANSLATION block into a fixed-size `translationVectors[]` array. A malformed block could push more vectors than the array had slots, causing a write past the end of the array. One of five `translationVectors[]` OOB writes 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 MOPAC 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.
### Summary A memory-safety vulnerability in Open Babel's MOPAC output parser allowed an out-of-bounds write into the `translationVectors[]` array when reading the "UNIT CELL TRANSLATION" block of a crafted input file. ### Details The MOPAC output reader stored translation vectors from the UNIT CELL TRANSLATION block into a fixed-size `translationVectors[]` array. A malformed block could push more vectors than the array had slots, causing a write past the end of the array. One of five `translationVectors[]` OOB writes 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 MOPAC 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.
Update openbabel to 3.2.0 if you use the affected versions. Test the change in a non-production environment first.
Local check
hol-guard supply-chain scanOpen Babel has out-of-bounds write in MOPAC translationVectors[] (UNIT CELL TRANSLATION) affects openbabel (pip). Severity is high. ### Summary A memory-safety vulnerability in Open Babel's MOPAC output parser allowed an out-of-bounds write into the `translationVectors[]` array when reading the "UNIT CELL TRANSLATION" block of a crafted input file. ### Details The MOPAC output reader stored translation vectors from the UNIT CELL TRANSLATION block into a fixed-size `translationVectors[]` array. A malformed block could push more vectors than the array had slots, causing a write past the end of the array. One of five `translationVectors[]` OOB writes 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 MOPAC 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.
AI coding agents often install or upgrade packages automatically in pip. A high vulnerability in a dependency can be pulled into a project through a normal install or update without a human reviewing the change, expanding the blast radius from a single package to every agent workspace that depends on it.
| Package | Affected range | Fixed version |
|---|---|---|
| openbabelpip | <3.2.0 | 3.2.0 |
Fixed versions are reported by the source feed; confirm compatibility before updating.
Reported by GitHub Security Advisories (ghsa).
HOL Guard can help your team review package activity against supported protection paths.
Explore HOL GuardUpdate openbabel to 3.2.0 if you use the affected versions. Test the change in a non-production environment first.
Local check
hol-guard supply-chain scanOpen Babel has out-of-bounds write in MOPAC translationVectors[] (UNIT CELL TRANSLATION) affects openbabel (pip). Severity is high. ### Summary A memory-safety vulnerability in Open Babel's MOPAC output parser allowed an out-of-bounds write into the `translationVectors[]` array when reading the "UNIT CELL TRANSLATION" block of a crafted input file. ### Details The MOPAC output reader stored translation vectors from the UNIT CELL TRANSLATION block into a fixed-size `translationVectors[]` array. A malformed block could push more vectors than the array had slots, causing a write past the end of the array. One of five `translationVectors[]` OOB writes 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 MOPAC 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.
AI coding agents often install or upgrade packages automatically in pip. A high vulnerability in a dependency can be pulled into a project through a normal install or update without a human reviewing the change, expanding the blast radius from a single package to every agent workspace that depends on it.
| Package | Affected range | Fixed version |
|---|---|---|
| openbabelpip | <3.2.0 | 3.2.0 |
Fixed versions are reported by the source feed; confirm compatibility before updating.
Reported by GitHub Security Advisories (ghsa).
HOL Guard can help your team review package activity against supported protection paths.
Explore HOL Guard