External risk intelligence

ServiceNow Platform Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

CVE advisoryKnown Exploit

CVE-2024-4879

A vulnerability in ServiceNow's Now Platform could allow an unauthenticated user to execute remote code. ServiceNow has provided updates to address this issue for hosted and self-hosted instances, mitigating the risk to organizations and their data.

5Halo Surface Signal

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External exposure likelihood

Halo Surface Signal score for CVE-2024-4879

ServiceNow platforms are designed as public-facing enterprise service management portals. They are commonly exposed to the internet to facilitate external access for employees, customers, and partners, making the Now Platform interface a primary internet-facing service by design.

CVSS vector

CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X

Horizon Alert

Summary of the vulnerability and why it matters

ServiceNow has addressed a vulnerability impacting its Now Platform releases. This flaw could allow an unauthenticated individual to execute remote code within the platform's environment. ServiceNow has provided updates to mitigate this risk for hosted and self-hosted instances.

  • Vulnerable ServiceNow Now Platform
  • Input validation weakness
  • Remote code execution possible

Attack Path

How an attacker could exploit the issue

An unauthenticated user can remotely execute code within the Now Platform. This occurs when an attacker sends a specially crafted request to an exposed ServiceNow instance. The platform's improper input validation allows the attacker to trigger code execution. This could lead to unauthorized access and compromise of the system.

  • Exposure condition: ServiceNow platform accessible online.
  • Attacker starting point: Unauthenticated external access.
  • Trigger and result: Malicious input allows code execution.

Live Threat

Current exploitation, exposure, and threat context

A critical vulnerability has been identified in certain ServiceNow platform releases that could allow an unauthenticated user to execute code remotely. ServiceNow has released updates to address this issue, and organizations are advised to apply the relevant security patches as soon as possible to mitigate the associated risks. The vulnerability impacts organizations using the affected ServiceNow versions, potentially compromising systems and sensitive data.

  • Likely attacker skill level: Low
  • Required access or conditions: None
  • Business risk or urgency: High

Priority actions

Operational Fix

Recommended remediation, mitigation, and detection steps

An input validation vulnerability affecting ServiceNow Now Platform releases presents a critical risk, potentially allowing unauthenticated users to execute code remotely. ServiceNow has released updates to address this issue for both hosted and self-hosted instances. Organizations using affected versions should prioritize applying these security updates to mitigate the risk of unauthorized code execution and protect business systems and data.

  • Identify all exposed ServiceNow instances.
  • Apply ServiceNow security patches.
  • Verify patch application and monitor for anomalies.

Frequently asked questions

What is the ServiceNow Now Platform, and how does CVE-2024-4879 affect it?

The ServiceNow Now Platform is a cloud-based system used by organizations for various business services, such as IT service management, customer service, and HR management. It helps automate workflows and manage digital operations. CVE-2024-4879 is a critical vulnerability within this platform that allows unauthenticated remote code execution.

What type of weakness is CVE-2024-4879, and what does it mean?

CVE-2024-4879 is an input validation vulnerability, specifically a jelly template injection. This means the software does not properly check data it receives, enabling malicious input to be processed in unintended ways, leading to code execution.

How can an attacker exploit CVE-2024-4879 in the ServiceNow Platform?

An unauthenticated user can exploit this vulnerability by sending a specially crafted request to an exposed ServiceNow instance. The platform's improper input validation allows this malicious input to trigger remote code execution.

What is the significance of CVE-2024-4879 for organizations using ServiceNow?

This critical vulnerability poses a significant risk as it allows unauthenticated remote code execution. Organizations using affected ServiceNow versions face potential system compromise and sensitive data breaches, making prompt patching essential. The Halo Surface Signal indicates a 'Very likely' exposure due to the public-facing nature of ServiceNow platforms.

What steps should organizations take to address CVE-2024-4879?

Organizations should identify all exposed ServiceNow instances and apply the relevant security patches or hotfixes released by ServiceNow as soon as possible to mitigate the risk of unauthorized code execution and protect their systems and data.

References

Sources and related resources

Primary sources: NVD, CVE.org, CISA KEV.

NVDPublished Modified