Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
Open Babel can be crashed or potentially taken over when processing a malformed Gaussian chemistry file. The risk is highest where Open Babel handles files from untrusted users, partners, or automated pipelines. The source bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or public active exploitation evidence.
Executive priority
Prioritize remediation for internet-facing or partner-facing file processing. Internal-only research workstations are lower urgency but still relevant because a malicious file can trigger code execution in the affected parser.
Technical view
CVE-2022-37331 is an out-of-bounds write in Open Babel's Gaussian format orientation parsing. A crafted malformed file can trigger memory corruption and possible arbitrary code execution in Open Babel 3.1.1 and master commit 530dbfa3. CVSS 3.1 is 7.3 with network, low-complexity, no-privilege, no-user-interaction characteristics.
Likely exposure
Organizations are likely exposed if Open Babel 3.1.1 or the cited master commit processes Gaussian files, especially through uploads, batch conversion services, research portals, or CI/data pipelines that accept external chemistry data.
Exploitation context
The cited description says an attacker can provide a malicious file to trigger the flaw. The bundle does not cite active exploitation, and KEV status is false. Treat exposure as file-processing risk rather than confirmed in-the-wild exploitation.
Researcher notes
Evidence supports Open Babel 3.1.1 and master commit 530dbfa3 as affected. The source bundle names Gaussian orientation parsing, CWE-119, and arbitrary code execution potential, but does not include patch details or exploitation confirmation.
Mitigation direction
- Identify and prioritize systems running affected Open Babel versions.
- Check Open Babel and Talos guidance for fixed versions or vendor-recommended workarounds.
- Restrict untrusted Gaussian file processing until remediation is confirmed.
- Run file conversion services with least privilege and isolation.
- Limit external uploads to trusted users where business workflows allow.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Open Babel deployments and record exact versions or commits.
- Map all workflows that process Gaussian files or external chemistry data.
- Confirm whether affected versions are reachable from uploads or automated ingestion.
- Review vendor guidance and change records for remediation status.
- Verify isolation controls around file conversion workers.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-119: Exact CWE lookup
Use the exact CWE identifier as the starting point before reviewing related ATT&CK behavior. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupExecution behavior lookup
The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2022-37331 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- High
- CVSS
- 7.3 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L3.93.4Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
7.3HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L
Source materials
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer
Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.