# CVE-2022-43467: Open Babel out-of-bounds write in PQS coord_file parser

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2022-43467-open-babel-out-of-bounds-write-in-pqs-coord-file-parser  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-07-01. Updated: 2026-07-01  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2022-43467 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.8 · Published 2026-07-01

Open Babel, a widely used library for converting chemistry and molecular data files, contains a memory safety flaw in its PQS file format parser. An attacker could provide a specially crafted, malicious chemistry file that, when opened by a user or processed by a service using this library, could lead to unauthorized code execution or system crashes. This affects researchers and organizations using Open Babel for molecular modeling or chemical data analysis.

Technologies: [openbabel (PyPI)](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/openbabel). Vendors: [PyPI](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/pypi).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2022-43467 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2022-43467 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2022-43467?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.8, published 1 July 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** openbabel (PyPI) < 3.2.0, ECOSYSTEM:introduced=0,fixed=3.2.0.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2022-43467?** Yes. openbabel (PyPI): upgrade to 3.2.0 or later. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2022-43467 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2022-43467?** Check whether you run openbabel (PyPI) at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## How to fix

- openbabel (PyPI): upgrade to 3.2.0 or later

  ```sh
  pip install "openbabel>=3.2.0"
  ```


## Technical details

An out-of-bounds write vulnerability exists in Open Babel's PQS format parser within the `coord_file` parsing logic in `formats/PQSformat.cpp`. The flaw is triggered when the parser encounters a malformed coordinate file specifier, leading to a buffer overflow as data is written past the end of a destination buffer (specifically involving unsafe `strcat` operations). While the NVD/GitHub CVSS reflects a local attack vector requiring user interaction (opening a file), the library is often embedded in web-based chemical converters, potentially extending the impact. The vulnerability was addressed in version 3.2.0 by replacing unsafe string operations with bounded alternatives like `strncat`.

## Affected products

- Open Babel Open Babel <= 3.1.1

## Identifiers

- CVE-2022-43467
- GHSA-f29h-2h58-48r7
- PYSEC-2026-2779

## Timeline

- 2023-07-21: disclosed: Initial Talos report published
- 2026-05-26: patched: Version 3.2.0 released
- 2026-07-01: advisory: GitHub Advisory published

## References

- [https://github.com/openbabel/openbabel/security/advisories/GHSA-f29h-2h58-48r7](https://github.com/openbabel/openbabel/security/advisories/GHSA-f29h-2h58-48r7)
- [https://github.com/openbabel/openbabel/commit/2a7d2cda8bd47daade2e555e34b69651a2e132ef](https://github.com/openbabel/openbabel/commit/2a7d2cda8bd47daade2e555e34b69651a2e132ef)
- [https://talosintelligence.com/vulnerability_reports/TALOS-2022-1671](https://talosintelligence.com/vulnerability_reports/TALOS-2022-1671)
- [https://www.talosintelligence.com/vulnerability_reports/TALOS-2022-1671](https://www.talosintelligence.com/vulnerability_reports/TALOS-2022-1671)
- [https://api.github.com/repos/openbabel/openbabel/security-advisories/GHSA-f29h-2h58-48r7](https://api.github.com/repos/openbabel/openbabel/security-advisories/GHSA-f29h-2h58-48r7)

## Related threats

- [Open Babel out-of-bounds write in MOPAC output parser](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2022-46292-open-babel-out-of-bounds-write-in-mopac-output-parser)
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