Involved in the biosynthesis of the siderophore enterobactin (enterochelin), which is a macrocyclic trimeric lactone of N-(2,3-dihydroxybenzoyl)-serine. Catalyzes the reversible NAD-dependent oxidation of the C3-hydroxyl group of 2,3-dihydro-2,3-dihydroxybenzoate (2,3-diDHB), producing the transient intermediate 2-hydroxy-3-oxo-4,6-cyclohexadiene-1-carboxylate, which undergoes rapid aromatization to the final product, 2,3-dihydroxybenzoate (2,3-DHB). Only the compounds with a C3-hydroxyl group such as methyl 2,3-dihydro-2,3-dihydroxybenzoate, methyl-3-hydroxy-1,4-cyclohexadiene-1-carboxylate, trans-3-hydroxy-2-cyclohexene-1-carboxylate, cis-3-hydroxy-4-cyclohexene-1-carboxylate, cis-3-hydroxycyclohexane-1-carboxylic acid are oxidized to the corresponding ketone products. The stereospecificity of the C3 allylic alcohol group oxidation is 3R in a 1R,3R dihydro substrate. It can also increase the DHB-AMP ligase activity of EntE by interaction EntE. (2S,3S)-2,3-dihydroxy-2,3-dihydrobenzoate + NAD(+) = 2,3-dihydroxybenzoate + H(+) + NADH Inhibited by cis-2-hydroxy-3-cyclohexen-1-carboxylate, cis-2-hydroxycyclohexane-1-carboxylate and trans-2-hydroxycyclohexane-1-carboxylate. kcat is 5550 min(-1) for dehydrogenase activity with 2,3-dihydro-2,3-dihydroxybenzoate as substrate (at pH 7.4 and 37 degrees Celsius). kcat is 1380 min(-1) for dehydrogenase activity with cis-3-hydroxy-4-cyclohexene-1-carboxylate as substrate (at pH 7.4 and 37 degrees Celsius). kcat is 1050 min(-1) for dehydrogenase activity with 2,3-dihydro-2,3-dihydroxybenzoate as substrate (at pH 7.4 and 37 degrees Celsius). kcat is 1000 min(-1) for dehydrogenase activity with cis-3,5-cyclohexadiene-1,2-diol as substrate (at pH 7.4 and 37 degrees Celsius). kcat is 300 min(-1) for dehydrogenase activity with trans-3-hydroxy-2-cyclohexene-1-carboxylate and cis-3-hydroxycyclohexane-1-carboxylic acid as substrates (at pH 7.4 and 37 degrees Celsius). kcat is 180 min(-1) for dehydrogenase activity with methyl-3-hydroxy-1,4-cyclohexadiene-1-carboxylate as substrate (at pH 7.4 and 37 degrees Celsius). kcat is 60 min(-1) for dehydrogenase activity with trans-3,5-cyclohexadiene-1,2-diol and 2-cyclohexen-1-ol as substrates (at pH 7.4 and 37 degrees Celsius). kcat is 44 min(-1) for dehydrogenase activity with trans-3-hydroxycyclohexane-1-carboxylic acid as substrate (at pH 7.4 and 37 degrees Celsius). Siderophore biosynthesis; enterobactin biosynthesis. Homotetramer; dimer of dimers. EntA and EntE interact together. Under conditions of iron deficiency and by the fur protein. Belongs to the short-chain dehydrogenases/reductases (SDR) family. Extended N-terminus.