# CVE-2022-46295: Open Babel out-of-bounds write in MSI parser translationVectors

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2022-46295-open-babel-out-of-bounds-write-in-msi-parser-translationvectors  
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-2022-46295 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.8 · Published 2026-07-01

Open Babel, a widely used chemistry data conversion library, contains a memory safety flaw in its MSI file format parser. If a user or automated service opens a specially crafted, malicious chemistry file, an attacker could potentially execute unauthorized code or cause the application to crash. This affects various software environments, including Linux distributions and web services that process chemistry data using Python, Java, or C++.

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

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2022-46295 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2022-46295 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2022-46295?** 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-2022-46295?** 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-2022-46295 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2022-46295?** 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 (OOB) write vulnerability exists in Open Babel's MSI parser within the translationVectors[] array. The MSI reader utilizes a fixed-size stack array (3 elements) to store cell translation vectors; however, it fails to validate the number of vectors provided in the input file. A malformed MSI file can specify more vectors than the array has slots, leading to a buffer overflow. This vulnerability can be triggered via the obabel CLI tool, the OBConversion API, or any language bindings (Python, Ruby, Java, etc.). The issue is addressed in version 3.2.0 by adding bounds checking to ensure the number of translation vectors does not exceed the array size.

## Affected products

- Open Babel Open Babel <= 3.1.1

## Identifiers

- CVE-2022-46295
- GHSA-f8h2-c479-vqxf
- PYSEC-2026-2780

## Timeline

- 2023-07-21: advisory: NVD Published Date
- 2026-05-26: patched: Version 3.2.0 released
- 2026-07-01: disclosed: GitHub Advisory published

## References

- [https://github.com/openbabel/openbabel/security/advisories/GHSA-f8h2-c479-vqxf](https://github.com/openbabel/openbabel/security/advisories/GHSA-f8h2-c479-vqxf)
- [https://github.com/openbabel/openbabel/commit/40e852138f21d586b7ccdce6329e7b23a87168bb](https://github.com/openbabel/openbabel/commit/40e852138f21d586b7ccdce6329e7b23a87168bb)
- [https://talosintelligence.com/vulnerability_reports/TALOS-2022-1666](https://talosintelligence.com/vulnerability_reports/TALOS-2022-1666)
- [https://www.talosintelligence.com/vulnerability_reports/TALOS-2022-1666](https://www.talosintelligence.com/vulnerability_reports/TALOS-2022-1666)
- [https://api.github.com/repos/openbabel/openbabel/security-advisories/GHSA-f8h2-c479-vqxf](https://api.github.com/repos/openbabel/openbabel/security-advisories/GHSA-f8h2-c479-vqxf)

## 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)
- [Open Babel out-of-bounds write in MOPAC input parser](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2022-46294-open-babel-out-of-bounds-write-in-mopac-input-parser)
- [Open Babel out-of-bounds write in MOPAC output parser](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2022-46293-open-babel-out-of-bounds-write-in-mopac-output-parser)
- [Open Babel out-of-bounds write in Gaussian translationVectors](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2022-46291-open-babel-out-of-bounds-write-in-gaussian-translationvectors)
- [Open Babel heap buffer overflow in ORCA nAtoms parser](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2022-46290-open-babel-heap-buffer-overflow-in-orca-natoms-parser)