PatchTheCVECVE-2016-6531: Open Dental 16.1 and earlier has a hardcoded MySQL root password, which allows remote attackers to obtain admi
CVE-2016-6531 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting opendental. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.
Open Dental 16.1 and earlier has a hardcoded MySQL root password, which allows remote attackers to obtain administrative access by leveraging access to intranet TCP port 3306. NOTE: the vendor disputes this issue, stating that the "vulnerability note ... is factually false ... there is indeed a default blank password, but it can be changed ... We recommend that users change it, each customer receives direction.
Why this priority
- Critical severity
- Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action
- On your watchlist
A fixed release or distro patch exists.
Risk facts
| CVSS score | 9.8 (Critical) |
| Attack vector | Network (remote) |
| Attack complexity | Low |
| Privileges needed | None |
| User interaction | None |
| EPSS exploit chance | 2.5% (top 15%) |
| CISA exploited list | No |
| Weakness | CWE-255 |
| Published | 2016-09-24 |
| Last modified | 2026-06-17 |
Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score
Am I affected?
Timeline
- Published CVE record published
- Updated Record last modified
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.
Quick answers
How do I fix CVE-2016-6531?
opendental: upgrade to newer than 16.1. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.
Is CVE-2016-6531 being exploited?
CVE-2016-6531 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.
What does CVE-2016-6531 affect?
CVE-2016-6531 affects opendental. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). Open Dental 16.1 and earlier has a hardcoded MySQL root password, which allows remote attackers to obtain administrative access by leveraging access to intranet TCP port 3306. NOTE: the vendor disputes this issue, stating that the "vulnera
How urgent is CVE-2016-6531?
Priority 65/100. Critical severity; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist
Software pages
Related CVEs
- CVE-2018-15719 CRITICAL 9.8 UPGRADE Open Dental before version 18.4 installs a mysql database and uses the default credentials of "root" with a bl
- CVE-2018-15718 HIGH 7.5 UPGRADE Open Dental before version 18.4 transmits the entire user database over the network when a remote unauthentica
- CVE-2018-15717 MEDIUM 5.3 UPGRADE Open Dental before version 18.4 stores user passwords as base64 encoded MD5 hashes.