Importing data with the NVD and CWE integrations and managing third-party libraries

  • Release version: Xanadu
  • Updated August 1, 2024
  • 2 minutes to read
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    Summary of Importing data with the NVD and CWE integrations and managing third-party libraries

    This guide explains how to import and manage vulnerability data in ServiceNow Vulnerability Response using integrations with the National Vulnerability Database (NVD), Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE), and third-party libraries. These integrations enrich your vulnerability data, improve risk assessment, and support prioritization of remediation efforts.

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    Initial Setup and Data Import

    • Download and install the Vulnerability Response Integration with NVD from the ServiceNow Store if not already installed.
    • Run the CWE scheduled job to import CWE data as part of the initial setup before importing vulnerability data from third-party scanners.
    • Perform an initial import of CWE data using the CWE Comprehensive 2000 Integration. By default, CWE data updates are on demand but can be configured as scheduled jobs. Schedule CWE updates to run before the NVD updates, which run weekly on Mondays by default.
    • Ensure the Vulnerability Response Integration with NVD application is installed and that NVD data (CVE only or CVE and CPE) imports successfully. The NVD integration runs daily by default, but activating it in production may require a separate license.

    Data Usage and Management

    • Imported NVD and CWE data are stored under Libraries in Vulnerability Response and used to enrich vulnerability records, supporting better risk understanding and remediation prioritization.
    • The Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) data included in NVD and third-party entries helps produce normalized severity scores, which improve risk assessment accuracy.
    • Third-party library updates are managed through scheduled jobs, with details available in respective integration documentation.

    Viewing and Using Imported Vulnerability Data

    • NVD Library: Contains vulnerability details from NVD, including security checklists, software flaws, misconfigurations, product names, and impact metrics such as exploits.
    • CWE Library: Lists community-developed software weakness types with associated knowledge articles. CWE records are for reference only and cannot be escalated as vulnerabilities.
    • Third-party Library: Contains imported vulnerabilities from third-party sources, including related references, vulnerable items, exploits, and CVEs.

    These libraries allow you to view and assess vulnerabilities and vulnerable items effectively within your ServiceNow instance.

    If not already installed, download and run the NVD integration and run the CWE scheduled job as part of your initial setup of Vulnerability Response and prior to importing vulnerability data into your instance with a third-party scanner product. The Vulnerability Response Integration with NVD is available on the ServiceNow Store.

    Ingesting CWE and NVD data

    Imported data from the NVD and CWE integrations are used to enrich the vulnerability data in your instance and help you decide whether to escalate remediation for a vulnerability, vulnerable item, or remediation task. After an initial import, you can update library records on-demand or configure a scheduled job to update records regularly. Vulnerability Response stores them under Libraries.

    The Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS), included in NVD and third-party entries, captures the main characteristics of a vulnerability. Vulnerability Response uses CVSS data to produce a normalized value reflecting vulnerability severity. When the severity is computed, the vulnerability provides a better understanding of the risk posed by this vulnerability to your organization. Severity helps you assess and prioritize vulnerability remediation.

    If this is your first installation of Vulnerability Response, or prior to ingesting data for the first time with a third-party scanner product:

    1. Perform an initial import of CWE data with the CWE Comprehensive 2000 Integration.

      See Configure and run the scheduled job for updating CWE records for more information. You perform CWE updates On Demand from the integration record by default, and you must configure it if you want it to run as a scheduled job.

      Note:
      Schedule the CWE update to run prior to the NVD database update. The default day for the NVD update is Weekly on Monday.
    2. Verify the Vulnerability Response Integration with NVD application is installed, and data from the NIST National Vulnerability Database Integration - API (CVE only) or the NIST National Vulnerability Database Integration - API (CVE and CPE) is successfully imported.

      Activation of this plugin on production instances may require a separate license. After it is installed, the NIST National Vulnerability Database Integration - API (CVE only) integration is activated by default. It runs daily. See Understanding the NVD integrations and Install the Vulnerability Response Integration with the NIST National Vulnerability Database for more information.

    3. Third-party libraries are updated as scheduled jobs. Refer to your integration documentation at Vulnerability Response integrations for more information about third-party integrations.

    Viewing imported vulnerability data and vulnerable items

    The following libraries are available:
    Libraries Description
    NVD List of vulnerabilities found by NVD and includes security checklists, security-related software flaws, misconfigurations, product names, and impact metrics including exploits.
    CWE

    List of community-developed software weakness types.

    Each CWE record also includes an associated knowledge article that describes the weakness. You cannot escalate a vulnerability from the Common Weakness Enumerations screen, it is for reference only.
    Third-party List of imported third-party vulnerabilities in your instance. Contains a list of related references, vulnerable items, exploits, and CVEs.