External risk intelligence

ServiceNow AI Platform SQL Injection Vulnerability

CVE advisorySeverity: CRITICAL (CVSS 10.0)

CVE-2026-74820

ServiceNow instances are typically public-facing enterprise platforms or cloud-based services designed to be accessible via the internet for users and integrations. As an unauthenticated vulnerability in a web-based service platform, the attack surface is inherently exposed to the public internet.

SQL Injection

Halo Surface Signal: 5 out of 5 — more likely to be public-facing.

External exposure likelihood

Horizon Alert

Summary of the vulnerability and why it matters

A SQL injection vulnerability has been identified within the ServiceNow AI platform, potentially allowing unauthorized users to execute arbitrary database commands. This could lead to the exposure or alteration of sensitive instance data. ServiceNow has released security updates for its hosted, partner, and self-hosted customers.

Unauthenticated access to database commands.
Confirms risk to instance data integrity.
Verify platform relevance and exposure.

Attack Path

How an attacker could exploit the issue

An attacker can reach the vulnerable component by accessing the ServiceNow AI platform over the network. Since no authentication is required, an unauthenticated user could then trigger the vulnerability by executing arbitrary SQL statements, potentially leading to unauthorized access or modification of instance data.

No authentication needed.
Execute arbitrary SQL statements.
Gain or modify instance data.

Live Threat

Current exploitation, exposure, and threat context

This vulnerability could allow an unauthenticated user to execute arbitrary SQL statements against the ServiceNow AI platform's database, potentially leading to unauthorized access or modification of instance data.

Instance data could be accessed or modified.
Attackers could send crafted SQL queries.
Sensitive information may be exposed.

Operational Fix

Recommended remediation, mitigation, and detection steps

Application owners and infrastructure teams are likely responsible for addressing this SQL injection vulnerability in the ServiceNow AI platform. The first practical step is to identify all ServiceNow instances, confirm their internet reachability and business criticality, and then assign an owner for remediation planning.

Identify and assign accountable owner.
Verify instance reachability and criticality.
Plan and apply security updates.

Supplementary metadata

CVSS vector

Validate whether this threat affects your internet-facing exposure.

Halo Threat Intelligence helps prioritize remediation with Halo Surface Signal and H/A/L/O context. Start exposure validation with a free external attack surface trial.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the ServiceNow AI platform?

ServiceNow provides a cloud-based enterprise platform that automates workflows for IT, employees, and customer service. The AI component integrated into this environment is designed to process complex data and tasks. It acts as a central hub where businesses manage sensitive operations and internal data, making it a critical foundation for organizational productivity.

What does this SQL injection mean in CVE-2026-74820?

This vulnerability is a type of input flaw where the software fails to properly sanitize data sent to its database. Because the AI platform does not correctly validate this input, an attacker can insert their own database commands. These commands are then executed by the system, effectively tricking the platform into revealing information or changing records it was never intended to expose.

How does an attacker trigger this vulnerability?

An attacker initiates the vulnerability by sending a specially crafted query over the network to the AI platform. Crucially, the system does not require any login credentials to process these malicious requests. Note that standard, authorized use of the platform's legitimate features does not trigger this flaw; it specifically requires the submission of non-standard, arbitrary database commands.

Is my instance at risk according to Halo Surface Signal?

Because ServiceNow instances are typically designed as public-facing enterprise platforms or cloud services, they are often accessible via the internet to support users and external integrations. Halo Surface Signal classifies this as an external exposure because the vulnerability does not require authentication, meaning the attack surface is inherently exposed if your instance is reachable from the public internet.

What should I do to secure my environment?

Start by identifying all ServiceNow instances within your organization and verifying which ones are internet-facing. Once you have a clear inventory, determine the business criticality of each instance. Assign an accountable owner to plan the remediation, and prioritize applying the official security updates or upgrading to a patched release provided by ServiceNow.

References

support.servicenow.com/kb?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB3152242

Written by Nicholas Merritt

Nicholas Merritt is VP of Security Solutions at Halo Security. With more than 25 years across application security, vulnerability prioritization, and offensive security, he helps teams translate threat data into practical exposure validation and remediation focus. He authors Halo Threat Intelligence CVE advisories using Halo Surface Signal and H/A/L/O context to prioritize internet-facing risk.