Modify the risk rating for a finding or remediation task

task brazil Updated Sep 30, 2026 2 min read sem-modify-risk.md
Raw file servicenow.com

Change the risk rating for a host vulnerable item, application vulnerable item, container vulnerable item, or remediation task in the Security Exposure Management Workspace.

Before you begin

Role required:

  • Host vulnerable items (VITs): sn_vul.vulnerability_analyst, sn_vul.vulnerability_admin, or sn_vul.remediation_owner
  • Application vulnerable items (AVITs): sn_vul.app_sec_manager, sn_vul.app_security_champion
  • Container vulnerable items (CVITs): sn_vul_container.vulnerability_analyst, sn_vul_container.vulnerability_admin, or sn_vul_container.remediation_owner

About this task

You can modify the risk rating for individual findings and remediation tasks (VUL, AVUL, or CVUL). This action isn't available for Configuration Compliance test results or test result groups. Only findings in the Open, Under Investigation, or Awaiting Implementation state are considered for risk change.

Risk modification is separate from requesting an exception. You don't need to complete a questionnaire, even if one is configured for exception requests. Associating a compensating control with the risk change is optional.

If you're a Vulnerability Admin, the risk rating updates immediately. If you're a Remediation Owner, your request requires approval before the risk rating updates.

Note: You can't change a finding's risk rating if its underlying vulnerability restricts risk changes. Resolve the restriction before proceeding. See Disable or enable risk reduction for a CVE or TPE.

Procedure

  1. Navigate to Workspaces > Security Exposure Management Workspace > List.

  2. Open the finding or remediation task whose risk rating you want to change.

  3. Select Modify risk from [Omitted image "more-action-menu.png"] Alt text: more optionmore option.

    Note: If you're a Remediation Owner, select Request Risk Modification.

  4. Complete the fields in the dialog.

    See Modify risk and Request risk modification form fields for more information on the fields.

  5. Select Apply.

Result

If you're a Vulnerability admin or an analyst, the risk rating updates immediately and a confirmation message appears.

If you're a Remediation Owner, a risk modification request is submitted for approval. The risk rating updates to your selected value only after the request is approved.

Note: The sn_sec_exception.modify_risk_approval_required system property controls whether a Remediation Owner request requires approval. This property is set to true by default. If set to false, the change approval moves directly to Approved and the risk rating updates immediately for Remediation Owners too.

Related topics

Request bulk exception in the Security Exposure Management Workspace

Add a compensating control to the library

Approve or reject requests in the Security Exposure Management Workspace

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