ServiceNow Potential Misconfiguration Risk: A Wake-Up Call
Introduction- What is ServiceNow?
ServiceNow, uniquely positioned as both a Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), offers a versatile digital workflow platform.
Key applications include IT Service Management (ITSM) for automating IT services, IT Operations Management (ITOM) for infrastructure optimization, IT Asset Management (ITAM) for asset tracking, Service Desk and Customer Support for efficient issue resolution, and an Employee Self-Service portal.
This multifunctionality makes ServiceNow a repository for a vast array of valuable organizational data, attracting attention in the realm of cybersecurity.
Security Alert: ServiceNow’s ACL Vulnerability Explained
ServiceNow experienced a data exposure flaw. This vulnerability, involving the default configurations of access control lists (ACLs) in ServiceNow’s widgets, particularly the ‘Simple List’ widget, enabled unauthenticated access to sensitive data stored in the ServiceNow platform.
What Led to This Situation?
The flaw stemmed from the way ServiceNow’s widgets, which act as APIs for the Service Portal, were configured. These widgets, by default, were set to public, allowing unauthenticated access to specified data. The vulnerability existed because the access control for these widgets was not governed by Access Control Lists (ACLs) but by fields on the individual widget record itself.
What Is the Risk?
Potentially, the leak could affect thousands of companies that use the platform. Attackers could steal personally identifiable information (PII) such as names, email addresses, customer records, financial information, and intellectual property.
There was a risk of unauthorized access to sensitive data, which could have severe implications for data privacy and security for the organizations using ServiceNow.
How Would Suridata Make the Difference?
Suridata focuses on SaaS security, pinpointing misconfigurations and safeguarding sensitive data across applications. Using its advanced monitoring and automated remediation features, the platform can detect configurations like ‘Widgets with Public Access’ early on, preventing unauthorized data access.
How to Address and Mitigate the Risk?
Remediation steps include reviewing and securing ACLs with roles or addressing the underlying access control issues. In addition, implementing temporary mitigations such as inbound IP address restrictions and disabling public widgets.
Organizations are advised to take the security of their data into their own hands, thoroughly reviewing both customer-made configurations and the vendor’s product default configuration.
Implementing Suridata as a security measure for misconfiguration drift monitoring would have prevented the potential loss of data.
Product Lead