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

  • Release version: Zurich
  • Updated July 31, 2025
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    Summary of Importing data with the NVD and CWE integrations and managing third-party libraries

    This guide explains how ServiceNow Vulnerability Response customers can import and manage vulnerability data using the National Vulnerability Database (NVD) and Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) integrations, as well as third-party libraries. These integrations enrich vulnerability data, enabling better risk assessment and remediation prioritization within the ServiceNow platform.

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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 (CWE Comprehensive 2000 Integration) as part of initial setup before importing data from third-party scanners.
    • Import CWE data first, then schedule it to update regularly (on-demand updates are available by default).
    • Schedule the CWE updates to run before the NVD database update, which runs weekly on Mondays by default.
    • Verify the NVD integration is installed and importing data successfully from the NIST National Vulnerability Database (CVE data). This integration runs daily once activated.
    • Note: Activating the NVD integration on production may require an additional license.

    Data Management and Updates

    • Imported NVD and CWE data are stored under Libraries in Vulnerability Response.
    • Updates to third-party vulnerability libraries occur via scheduled jobs; refer to specific integration documentation for details.
    • CVSS scores included in NVD and third-party data provide normalized severity values to help assess and prioritize vulnerabilities.

    Available Libraries and Usage

    • NVD Library: Contains vulnerabilities, security checklists, software flaws, misconfigurations, product names, impact metrics, and exploit information.
    • CWE Library: Contains community-developed software weakness types with associated knowledge articles. CWE data is for reference and cannot be used to escalate vulnerabilities.
    • Third-party Library: Contains imported vulnerabilities from third-party sources, including references, vulnerable items, exploits, and CVEs.

    Practical Benefits

    By importing and regularly updating these vulnerability libraries, you gain comprehensive and enriched vulnerability data that improves your organization's ability to understand risk, prioritize remediation efforts, and escalate vulnerabilities when appropriate. The integration with CVSS scoring enhances the accuracy of severity assessments.

    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.