---
sourceDocument: Australia Platform security
sourceDocumentLink: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/australia/platform-security

 Release :

    - australia

ft:locale :

    - en-US

ft:publication_title :

    - Australia Platform security

ft:clusterId :

    - psec

bundleId :

    - psec

workflow :

    - Platform


---

# Require authorization for PDF requests

# Require authorization for PDF requests {#ariaid-title1}

Release version: Australia  
Updated March 12, 2026  
![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 1 minute to read  
Use the glide.basicauth.required.pdf property to designate if incoming PDF requests should require basic authentication.
If glide.basicauth.required.pdf is not set to the recommended value of true, the Basic Authentication for PDF format export processor is disabled. This also happens when combined with
a wrong role within the guest_user related property (For example a high privileged user such as Admin). This leads to unauthenticated access to instance data.

Ensure the property glide.basicauth.required.pdf exists in the System Properties \[sys_properties\] table and is set to true.  
Warning:  
This is a safe harbor property, meaning the value can't be altered once it's changed. It is non-revertible.

## More information {#sc-require-authorization-for-pdf-requests__section_wc1_cqn_phc}

{#sc-require-authorization-for-pdf-requests__table_ajc_b43_3kb__entry__2}

| Attribute | Description |
|-|-|
| Configuration name |   |
| Configuration type | System Properties (/sys_properties_list.do) |
| Data type | Boolean |
| Recommended value | true |
| Default value | \<none\> |
| Fallback value | false |
| Category | [API and web service](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/qD0xNDqwckf2rLNMfnkZ5g "The API and Web Service category ensures that applications have appropriate authentication, authorization and session management, validate all input that traverses a trust boundary and include security controls for all API types.") |
| Security risk | * Severity score: 7.5 * CVSS rating: High * Security risk details: Unauthenticated access to PDF export data, when combined with misconfigured guest user role, poses a significant risk of unauthorized data exposure. {#sc-require-authorization-for-pdf-requests__ul_g1g_3sf_xwb} |
| Functional impact | This remediation enforces a combination of authentication methods, in the form of basic authentication and system level access control. * It performs this authentication while retrieving data from tables/pages in the form of PDF data on the instance. * It restricts any guest users who are currently accessing this data. If applicable, you may need to create a new account for users who need access to this content, with necessary access control permissions. {#sc-require-authorization-for-pdf-requests__ul_zcw_33g_p3c} To learn more, see [Web service import sets](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=c_WebServiceImportSets&version=australia&pubname=australia-integrate-applications&ft:locale=en-US). |
| Dependencies and prerequisites | None |
[ ]

{#sc-require-authorization-for-pdf-requests__table_ajc_b43_3kb}

To learn more about adding or creating a system
property, see [Add a system property](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=t_AddAPropertyUsingSysPropsList&version=australia&pubname=australia-platform-administration&ft:locale=en-US).