Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
Open Babel has a critical memory-safety flaw in MSI file handling. A malformed file supplied to an affected parser can potentially run attacker-controlled code, creating risk for systems that convert or inspect untrusted chemistry files.
Executive priority
Prioritize systems that parse files from customers, partners, or public uploads. The business risk is highest for exposed conversion services because successful exploitation could compromise the host running Open Babel.
Technical view
CVE-2022-44451 is a CWE-824 use of uninitialized pointer in Open Babel 3.1.1 and master commit 530dbfa3, specifically in MSI format atom functionality. Sources state a crafted malformed file can lead to arbitrary code execution.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely where Open Babel 3.1.1 or the named master commit processes externally supplied MSI files, including web upload converters, research pipelines, or automated ingestion services. Evidence for other versions is not provided in the source bundle.
Exploitation context
The source bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or active exploitation evidence. Talos and CVE sources describe a malicious-file attack path, but no confirmed in-the-wild exploitation is cited.
Researcher notes
The provided evidence supports affected version and commit, vulnerability class, CVSS 9.8, and potential arbitrary code execution. It does not provide a named patch version, exploit availability, or confirmed exploitation status.
Mitigation direction
- Inventory Open Babel deployments and identify version 3.1.1 or builds from commit 530dbfa3.
- Check Open Babel and Talos guidance for an approved fixed release or vendor mitigation.
- Restrict or suspend untrusted MSI file processing until affected systems are remediated.
- Run file parsing and conversion services with least privilege and sandbox isolation.
- Apply compensating controls around upload sources, file types, and processing queues.
Validation and detection
- Confirm whether Open Babel is installed in applications, containers, CI jobs, and research workstations.
- Check package versions and source builds against Open Babel 3.1.1 and commit 530dbfa3.
- Identify workflows that accept MSI files from external users or third-party feeds.
- Review logs for crashes or anomalous failures during MSI file parsing.
- Verify remediation by documenting the vendor-fixed version or compensating control in use.
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
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CWE-824: Exact CWE lookup
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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-2022-44451 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
- Critical
- CVSS
- 9.8 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
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:H/I:H/A:H3.95.9Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
9.8CriticalVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
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.
Access of Uninitialized Pointer
Access of Uninitialized Pointer represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.