> ### Summary > > A memory-safety vulnerability in Open Babel's CIF file format parser > allowed an out-of-bounds read when reading a crafted input file. > > ### Details > > The flaw was in `OpenBabel::transform3d::DescribeAsString`. A malformed > symmetry-operation string caused the parser to read past the end of its > internal buffer while formatting the description. > > ### 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 CIF file with the `obabel` > tool, the OBConversion API, or any of the language bindings. > > ### 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/e23a224b > Tracked in #2862. > > A minimized reproducer for this CVE is checked in at > `test/files/fuzz_regress/cve-2026-2704.cif` and is exercised on every > CI build under ASAN+UBSAN by the `fuzzregresstest` harness. > > ### Credit > > Reported by Vedant Madane (@VedantMadane).
> ### Summary > > A memory-safety vulnerability in Open Babel's CIF file format parser > allowed an out-of-bounds read when reading a crafted input file. > > ### Details > > The flaw was in `OpenBabel::transform3d::DescribeAsString`. A malformed > symmetry-operation string caused the parser to read past the end of its > internal buffer while formatting the description. > > ### 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 CIF file with the `obabel` > tool, the OBConversion API, or any of the language bindings. > > ### 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/e23a224b > Tracked in #2862. > > A minimized reproducer for this CVE is checked in at > `test/files/fuzz_regress/cve-2026-2704.cif` and is exercised on every > CI build under ASAN+UBSAN by the `fuzzregresstest` harness. > > ### Credit > > Reported by Vedant Madane (@VedantMadane).
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 an out-of-bounds read in CIF transform3d::DescribeAsString affects openbabel (pip). Severity is low. > ### Summary > > A memory-safety vulnerability in Open Babel's CIF file format parser > allowed an out-of-bounds read when reading a crafted input file. > > ### Details > > The flaw was in `OpenBabel::transform3d::DescribeAsString`. A malformed > symmetry-operation string caused the parser to read past the end of its > internal buffer while formatting the description. > > ### 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 CIF file with the `obabel` > tool, the OBConversion API, or any of the language bindings. > > ### 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/e23a224b > Tracked in #2862. > > A minimized reproducer for this CVE is checked in at > `test/files/fuzz_regress/cve-2026-2704.cif` and is exercised on every > CI build under ASAN+UBSAN by the `fuzzregresstest` harness. > > ### Credit > > Reported by Vedant Madane (@VedantMadane).
AI coding agents often install or upgrade packages automatically in pip. A low 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 an out-of-bounds read in CIF transform3d::DescribeAsString affects openbabel (pip). Severity is low. > ### Summary > > A memory-safety vulnerability in Open Babel's CIF file format parser > allowed an out-of-bounds read when reading a crafted input file. > > ### Details > > The flaw was in `OpenBabel::transform3d::DescribeAsString`. A malformed > symmetry-operation string caused the parser to read past the end of its > internal buffer while formatting the description. > > ### 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 CIF file with the `obabel` > tool, the OBConversion API, or any of the language bindings. > > ### 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/e23a224b > Tracked in #2862. > > A minimized reproducer for this CVE is checked in at > `test/files/fuzz_regress/cve-2026-2704.cif` and is exercised on every > CI build under ASAN+UBSAN by the `fuzzregresstest` harness. > > ### Credit > > Reported by Vedant Madane (@VedantMadane).
AI coding agents often install or upgrade packages automatically in pip. A low 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