CVE-2022-37710 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting Patterson Dental Eaglesoft 21, a dental practice management software. The vulnerability concerns the encryption implementation used to protect sensitive data files. Although Eaglesoft 21 employs AES-256 encryption, the encryption keys and salts are hardcoded within DLL or EXE files, which significantly weakens the security model. Specifically, attackers can obtain the encryption keys through two known methods: extracting the key from the 'keybackup.data' file under the License section, or from the 'Eaglesoft.Server.Configuration.data' file under the DbEncryptKeyPrimary section. Because these keys are embedded in application binaries and configuration files, an attacker with limited privileges (local access with low privileges) can retrieve them without requiring user interaction. The CVSS 3.1 score is 7.8 (high), reflecting the vulnerability's potential to compromise confidentiality, integrity, and availability of encrypted data. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-798 (Use of Hard-coded Credentials), which is a common weakness where sensitive cryptographic keys or credentials are embedded directly in code or configuration files, making them accessible to attackers who can read those files or binaries. No patches or fixes are currently linked, and there are no known exploits in the wild as of the published date. The vulnerability requires local access with low privileges but does not require user interaction, making it a significant risk especially in environments where multiple users have access to the system or where endpoint security is weak. The attacker can decrypt sensitive files, potentially exposing patient data or other confidential information managed by the Eaglesoft software.

For European organizations, particularly dental clinics and healthcare providers using Patterson Dental Eaglesoft 21, this vulnerability poses a serious risk to patient data confidentiality and system integrity. The exposure of encryption keys allows attackers to decrypt sensitive files, which may include patient records, billing information, and other protected health information (PHI). This can lead to data breaches violating the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), resulting in legal penalties and reputational damage. Furthermore, the ability to alter encrypted files undermines data integrity, potentially affecting clinical decisions or financial transactions. Availability could also be impacted if attackers manipulate or delete decrypted data. Given the healthcare sector's critical nature and the sensitivity of medical data, exploitation of this vulnerability could disrupt operations and erode patient trust. The requirement for local access limits remote exploitation but insider threats or attackers gaining initial footholds through other means could leverage this vulnerability to escalate access or exfiltrate data.

European organizations using Eaglesoft 21 should immediately audit access controls to ensure that only trusted personnel have local access to systems running the software. Implement strict endpoint security measures, including application whitelisting and monitoring for unauthorized file access or binary modifications. Since no official patches are currently available, organizations should consider isolating Eaglesoft systems on segmented networks to reduce exposure. Encrypting backups separately and ensuring that keybackup.data and Eaglesoft.Server.Configuration.data files are protected with strict file permissions can reduce risk. Regularly monitor logs for suspicious access patterns to these files. Additionally, organizations should engage with Patterson Dental support to inquire about upcoming patches or mitigation guidance. As a longer-term measure, consider migrating to software versions or alternatives that do not embed encryption keys in binaries or configuration files. Finally, conduct staff training to raise awareness about insider threats and the importance of safeguarding local system access.