CVE-2026-2704
Published: 19 February 2026
Summary
CVE-2026-2704 is a low-severity Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer (CWE-119) vulnerability in Openbabel Open Babel. Its CVSS base score is 2.1 (Low).
Operationally, exploitation aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK technique Malicious File (T1204.002); ranked in the top 49.5% of CVEs by exploit likelihood; it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog; a public proof-of-concept is referenced.
The strongest mitigations our analysis identified are NIST 800-53 SI-10 (Information Input Validation) and SI-2 (Flaw Remediation).
Deeper analysis
CVE-2026-2704 is an out-of-bounds read vulnerability in Open Babel versions up to and including 3.1.1. The issue affects the OpenBabel::transform3d::DescribeAsString function within the src/math/transform3d.cpp file, part of the CIF File Handler component. This flaw, linked to CWE-119 (Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer) and CWE-125 (Out-of-bounds Read), was published on 2026-02-19 and carries a CVSS v3.1 base score of 4.3 (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L).
The vulnerability can be exploited remotely by unauthenticated attackers with network access who trick a user into processing a malicious CIF file, as it requires user interaction but no privileges. Successful exploitation results in a low-impact denial of service, such as application crashes due to the out-of-bounds read, with no confidentiality or integrity impacts.
Mitigation is available via the patch commit e23a224b8fd9d7c2a7cde9ef4ec6afb4c05aa08a on the Open Babel GitHub repository. A proof-of-concept exploit in the form of a repro.cif file has been publicly disclosed, along with the originating issue report at openbabel/openbabel#2848 and a related pull request at openbabel/openbabel#2862. The project was notified early but has not yet responded. Security practitioners should apply the patch promptly and avoid processing untrusted CIF files in affected versions. Additional details are available at vuldb.com/?ctiid.346650.
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2026-7428
Vulnerability details
A security vulnerability has been detected in Open Babel up to 3.1.1. The affected element is the function OpenBabel::transform3d::DescribeAsString of the file src/math/transform3d.cpp of the component CIF File Handler. The manipulation leads to out-of-bounds read. It is possible to initiate…
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the attack remotely. The exploit has been disclosed publicly and may be used. Upgrading to version 3.2.0 is sufficient to fix this issue. The identifier of the patch is e23a224b8fd9d7c2a7cde9ef4ec6afb4c05aa08a. It is suggested to install a patch to address this issue.
- CWE(s)
Related Threats
MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise TechniquesAI
Why these techniques?
Vulnerability is triggered when a user processes a malicious CIF file (directly enabling T1204.002 Malicious File for execution) and results in application crash/DoS via out-of-bounds read exploitation (directly enabling T1499.004 Application or System Exploitation).
CVEs Like This One
Affected Assets
Mitigating Controls
Mitigating Controls (NIST 800-53 r5) AI
Directly requires timely application of the vendor patch (commit e23a224b) that eliminates the out-of-bounds read in transform3d.cpp.
Mandates validation of all input (CIF files) to enforce memory-buffer bounds and thereby block the malformed-file trigger for CVE-2026-2704.
Requires memory-protection mechanisms that can contain or prevent exploitation of the out-of-bounds read even if input validation is absent.