CVE-2026-0542 is a remote code execution (RCE) vulnerability identified in the ServiceNow AI Platform, specifically related to improper isolation or compartmentalization within the platform's sandbox environment, classified under CWE-653. This flaw allows an unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code within the ServiceNow Sandbox, which is intended to isolate and contain code execution to prevent unauthorized access or escalation. The vulnerability arises because the sandbox environment does not sufficiently separate execution contexts, enabling code injection or execution beyond intended boundaries. The CVSS 4.0 vector indicates network attack vector (AV:N), high attack complexity (AC:H), no privileges required (PR:N), no user interaction (UI:N), and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (VC:H, VI:H, VA:H). ServiceNow has addressed this vulnerability by deploying security updates to all hosted instances and providing patches and hotfixes to self-hosted customers and partners. Although there are no known active exploits in the wild, the critical severity and ease of exploitation without authentication make this a high-risk vulnerability. Organizations using the ServiceNow AI Platform should prioritize patching to prevent potential compromise of their IT service management infrastructure and AI workflows.

The impact of CVE-2026-0542 is significant for organizations worldwide that utilize the ServiceNow AI Platform for IT service management, automation, and AI-driven processes. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code remotely without authentication, potentially leading to full compromise of the ServiceNow environment. This could result in unauthorized access to sensitive corporate data, disruption of IT services, manipulation of workflows, and potential lateral movement within the enterprise network. Given the critical role ServiceNow plays in many organizations' operational infrastructure, such a compromise could cause severe operational downtime, data breaches, and reputational damage. The vulnerability's presence in both hosted and self-hosted deployments expands the scope of affected entities. Although no active exploitation has been reported, the vulnerability's characteristics make it an attractive target for threat actors aiming to disrupt enterprise IT operations or steal sensitive information.

Organizations should immediately verify their ServiceNow AI Platform deployment version and apply the latest security updates or patches provided by ServiceNow to both hosted and self-hosted instances. It is critical to ensure that all instances are fully updated to the patched versions to eliminate the vulnerability. Additionally, organizations should review and tighten network segmentation and access controls around ServiceNow environments to limit exposure. Monitoring and logging of ServiceNow platform activity should be enhanced to detect any anomalous behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. Employing a defense-in-depth approach by restricting outbound network connections from the ServiceNow environment can help contain potential breaches. Regularly auditing third-party integrations and custom scripts within ServiceNow can also reduce attack surface. Finally, organizations should stay informed through ServiceNow security advisories and threat intelligence feeds to respond promptly to any emerging exploitation attempts.