acl-management

ACL Management

Overview

Access Control Lists (ACLs) are the foundation of ServiceNow security. This skill covers:

• Understanding ACL structure and inheritance hierarchy
• Creating new ACLs for tables, fields, and records
• Modifying existing ACL rules safely
• Troubleshooting permission issues
• ACL debugging techniques and tools
• Best practices for role-based access control

When to use:

• Setting up security for new tables or applications
• Troubleshooting "access denied" issues
• Implementing field-level security
• Auditing and reviewing existing permissions
• Implementing row-level security (query conditions)

Prerequisites

• Roles: security_admin or admin
• Access: sys_security_acl, sys_security_acl_role tables
• Knowledge: Understanding of ServiceNow roles and user groups
• Plugins: Core platform (ACLs are built-in)

ACL Fundamentals

ACL Hierarchy

                    ┌─────────────────┐
                    │  Table ACL (*)  │  ← Broadest
                    │  incident.*     │
                    └────────┬────────┘
                             │
                    ┌────────▼────────┐
                    │  Table.Field    │  ← Field-specific
                    │  incident.state │
                    └────────┬────────┘
                             │
                    ┌────────▼────────┐
                    │ Table.None      │  ← Row-level
                    │ (with script)   │
                    └─────────────────┘  ← Most specific

ACL Operations

Operation	Purpose	Common Use
read	View records/fields	List, form display
write	Modify records/fields	Form editing
create	Insert new records	New record creation
delete	Remove records	Record deletion
execute	Run scripts/actions	UI actions, processors

ACL Evaluation Order

1. Most specific wins: Field ACL > Table ACL
2. First match: Evaluation stops at first matching ACL
3. Deny by default: No matching ACL = access denied
4. Admin bypass: Admin role bypasses most ACLs

Procedure

Phase 1: Understanding Existing ACLs

1.1 Query ACLs for a Table

Find all ACLs for a specific table:

Tool: SN-Query-Table
Parameters:
  table_name: sys_security_acl
  query: nameLIKEincident
  fields: name,operation,type,condition,script,active
  limit: 50

Find ACLs by operation type:

Tool: SN-Query-Table
Parameters:
  table_name: sys_security_acl
  query: name=incident^operation=write
  fields: name,operation,admin_overrides,condition,script,active
  limit: 20

1.2 Discover ACL Structure

Get the ACL table schema:

Tool: SN-Get-Table-Schema
Parameters:
  table_name: sys_security_acl

Key ACL Fields:

Field	Type	Purpose
name	String	Table.field or Table.*
operation	Choice	read, write, create, delete, execute
type	Choice	record, client_callable_script_include
condition	Condition	Filter conditions for row-level security
script	Script	Advanced condition logic
admin_overrides	Boolean	Allow admin bypass
active	Boolean	ACL is enforced
advanced	Boolean	Uses script conditions

1.3 Check ACL Role Requirements

Find roles required for an ACL:

Tool: SN-Query-Table
Parameters:
  table_name: sys_security_acl_role
  query: acl.name=incident.*^acl.operation=write
  fields: acl.name,acl.operation,role.name
  limit: 20

Phase 2: Creating New ACLs

2.1 Create Table-Level ACL

Create read ACL for custom table:

Tool: SN-Create-Record
Parameters:
  table_name: sys_security_acl
  data:
    name: "u_custom_table.*"
    operation: read
    type: record
    admin_overrides: true
    active: true
    description: "Read access to custom table"

Add role requirement:

Tool: SN-Create-Record
Parameters:
  table_name: sys_security_acl_role
  data:
    acl: [acl_sys_id]
    role: [role_sys_id]

2.2 Create Field-Level ACL

Protect a sensitive field:

Tool: SN-Create-Record
Parameters:
  table_name: sys_security_acl
  data:
    name: "u_custom_table.ssn_number"
    operation: read
    type: record
    admin_overrides: true
    active: true
    description: "Restrict SSN field to authorized users only"

Add multiple role requirements:

Tool: SN-Query-Table
Parameters:
  table_name: sys_user_role
  query: nameINhr_admin,security_admin
  fields: sys_id,name
  limit: 10

Then for each role:

Tool: SN-Create-Record
Parameters:
  table_name: sys_security_acl_role
  data:
    acl: [field_acl_sys_id]
    role: [hr_admin_role_sys_id]

2.3 Create Row-Level ACL (Condition-Based)

Users can only see their own records:

Tool: SN-Create-Record
Parameters:
  table_name: sys_security_acl
  data:
    name: "u_custom_table"
    operation: read
    type: record
    condition: "opened_by=javascript:gs.getUserID()"
    admin_overrides: true
    active: true
    description: "Users can only read their own records"

2.4 Create Script-Based ACL

Complex logic requiring script:

Tool: SN-Create-Record
Parameters:
  table_name: sys_security_acl
  data:
    name: "u_custom_table"
    operation: write
    type: record
    advanced: true
    script: |
      // Allow write if user is the owner OR is in the assigned group
      var userId = gs.getUserID();
      var userGroups = gs.getUser().getMyGroups();

      if (current.owner == userId) {
        answer = true;
      } else if (userGroups.indexOf(current.assignment_group.toString()) >= 0) {
        answer = true;
      } else {
        answer = false;
      }
    admin_overrides: true
    active: true
    description: "Allow write for owner or group members"

Phase 3: Modifying ACLs Safely

3.1 Deactivate Before Major Changes

Deactivate ACL temporarily:

Tool: SN-Update-Record
Parameters:
  table_name: sys_security_acl
  sys_id: [acl_sys_id]
  data:
    active: false

Make changes:

Tool: SN-Update-Record
Parameters:
  table_name: sys_security_acl
  sys_id: [acl_sys_id]
  data:
    condition: "state!=6^ORassigned_to=javascript:gs.getUserID()"
    description: "Updated condition - users can access non-closed or own records"

Reactivate after testing:

Tool: SN-Update-Record
Parameters:
  table_name: sys_security_acl
  sys_id: [acl_sys_id]
  data:
    active: true

3.2 Add/Remove Role Requirements

Add a new role requirement:

Tool: SN-Create-Record
Parameters:
  table_name: sys_security_acl_role
  data:
    acl: [acl_sys_id]
    role: [new_role_sys_id]

Remove a role requirement:

Tool: SN-Query-Table
Parameters:
  table_name: sys_security_acl_role
  query: acl=[acl_sys_id]^role=[role_sys_id]
  fields: sys_id

# Then delete the record using SN-Update-Record or background script

Phase 4: Troubleshooting Permission Issues

4.1 Identify the Blocking ACL

Enable ACL Debugging (Session-Based):

Tool: SN-Execute-Background-Script
Parameters:
  script: |
    // This enables debug output for the session
    // Run manually: Navigate to User menu > Impersonate > Check security
    gs.info('To debug ACLs:');
    gs.info('1. Navigate to System Security > Debugging');
    gs.info('2. Or add ?sysparm_security_debug=true to URL');
    gs.info('3. Or impersonate user and check security diagnostics');
  description: "ACL debugging instructions"

Check user's roles:

Tool: SN-Query-Table
Parameters:
  table_name: sys_user_has_role
  query: user=[user_sys_id]^role.name!=snc_internal
  fields: role.name,granted_by,inherited
  limit: 50

Check user's groups:

Tool: SN-Query-Table
Parameters:
  table_name: sys_user_grmember
  query: user=[user_sys_id]
  fields: group.name,group.sys_id
  limit: 50

4.2 Trace ACL Evaluation

Find which ACL applies:

Tool: SN-Execute-Background-Script
Parameters:
  script: |
    var table = 'incident';
    var operation = 'write';
    var fieldName = 'state'; // or '*' for table-level

    var acl = new GlideRecord('sys_security_acl');
    acl.addQuery('name', 'CONTAINS', table);
    acl.addQuery('operation', operation);
    acl.addQuery('active', true);
    acl.orderBy('name');
    acl.query();

    gs.info('ACLs for ' + table + '.' + fieldName + ' (' + operation + '):');
    while (acl.next()) {
      var roles = [];
      var roleGr = new GlideRecord('sys_security_acl_role');
      roleGr.addQuery('acl', acl.sys_id);
      roleGr.query();
      while (roleGr.next()) {
        roles.push(roleGr.role.name.toString());
      }

      gs.info(acl.name + ' - Roles: [' + roles.join(', ') + '] - Condition: ' + acl.condition);
    }
  description: "Trace ACL evaluation for table/operation"

4.3 Test User Access

Check if user has required roles:

Tool: SN-Execute-Background-Script
Parameters:
  script: |
    var userId = '[user_sys_id]';
    var requiredRoles = ['itil', 'incident_manager'];

    var user = new GlideRecord('sys_user');
    user.get(userId);

    gs.info('Checking roles for: ' + user.user_name);

    for (var i = 0; i < requiredRoles.length; i++) {
      var hasRole = new GlideRecord('sys_user_has_role');
      hasRole.addQuery('user', userId);
      hasRole.addQuery('role.name', requiredRoles[i]);
      hasRole.query();

      if (hasRole.hasNext()) {
        gs.info('  HAS: ' + requiredRoles[i]);
      } else {
        gs.warn('  MISSING: ' + requiredRoles[i]);
      }
    }
  description: "Check user role membership"

4.4 Common Permission Issues

Issue: User can see table but not specific records

# Check for row-level ACL conditions
Tool: SN-Query-Table
Parameters:
  table_name: sys_security_acl
  query: name=[table_name]^operation=read^conditionISNOTEMPTY
  fields: name,condition,script

Issue: User can read but not write

# Compare read vs write ACLs
Tool: SN-Query-Table
Parameters:
  table_name: sys_security_acl
  query: nameLIKE[table_name]^operationINread,write
  fields: name,operation,condition
  limit: 20

Issue: Field is read-only unexpectedly

# Check field-level ACLs
Tool: SN-Query-Table
Parameters:
  table_name: sys_security_acl
  query: name=[table_name].[field_name]^operation=write
  fields: name,operation,condition,active

Phase 5: ACL Debugging Tools

5.1 Security Diagnostic Tool

Run security diagnostic for a record:

Tool: SN-Execute-Background-Script
Parameters:
  script: |
    var table = 'incident';
    var sysId = '[record_sys_id]';
    var userId = '[user_sys_id]';

    // Impersonate and check access
    var gr = new GlideRecord(table);
    gr.get(sysId);

    var canRead = gr.canRead();
    var canWrite = gr.canWrite();
    var canDelete = gr.canDelete();

    gs.info('Security Diagnostic for ' + table + '/' + sysId);
    gs.info('  Can Read: ' + canRead);
    gs.info('  Can Write: ' + canWrite);
    gs.info('  Can Delete: ' + canDelete);

    // Check field-level access
    var elements = ['state', 'priority', 'assigned_to'];
    for (var i = 0; i < elements.length; i++) {
      var field = elements[i];
      gs.info('  Field ' + field + ' - canRead: ' + gr[field].canRead() +
              ', canWrite: ' + gr[field].canWrite());
    }
  description: "Run security diagnostic on record"

5.2 ACL Rule Analyzer

Analyze all ACLs for conflicts:

Tool: SN-Execute-Background-Script
Parameters:
  script: |
    var table = 'incident';
    var analysis = {
      table_acls: [],
      field_acls: [],
      potential_conflicts: []
    };

    var acl = new GlideRecord('sys_security_acl');
    acl.addQuery('name', 'STARTSWITH', table);
    acl.addQuery('active', true);
    acl.orderBy('name');
    acl.query();

    while (acl.next()) {
      var aclInfo = {
        name: acl.name.toString(),
        operation: acl.operation.toString(),
        has_condition: acl.condition.toString() !== '',
        has_script: acl.advanced.toString() === 'true'
      };

      if (acl.name.toString().indexOf('.') === -1 ||
          acl.name.toString().endsWith('.*')) {
        analysis.table_acls.push(aclInfo);
      } else {
        analysis.field_acls.push(aclInfo);
      }
    }

    // Check for potential issues
    if (analysis.table_acls.length === 0) {
      analysis.potential_conflicts.push('No table-level ACLs - may be too open or rely on inheritance');
    }

    gs.info('ACL Analysis for ' + table + ':\n' + JSON.stringify(analysis, null, 2));
  description: "Analyze ACLs for conflicts and issues"

5.3 Role Elevation Check

Find users with potentially dangerous role combinations:

Tool: SN-Execute-Background-Script
Parameters:
  script: |
    var dangerousCombos = [
      ['admin', 'maint'],
      ['security_admin', 'personalize_dictionary'],
      ['admin', 'soap']
    ];

    var findings = [];

    for (var i = 0; i < dangerousCombos.length; i++) {
      var combo = dangerousCombos[i];

      var users = new GlideRecord('sys_user');
      users.addQuery('active', true);
      users.query();

      while (users.next()) {
        var hasAll = true;
        for (var j = 0; j < combo.length; j++) {
          var roleCheck = new GlideRecord('sys_user_has_role');
          roleCheck.addQuery('user', users.sys_id);
          roleCheck.addQuery('role.name', combo[j]);
          roleCheck.query();
          if (!roleCheck.hasNext()) {
            hasAll = false;
            break;
          }
        }

        if (hasAll) {
          findings.push({
            user: users.user_name.toString(),
            roles: combo
          });
        }
      }
    }

    if (findings.length > 0) {
      gs.warn('Users with dangerous role combinations:');
      gs.info(JSON.stringify(findings, null, 2));
    } else {
      gs.info('No dangerous role combinations found');
    }
  description: "Find users with dangerous role combinations"

Best Practices

Design Principles

1. Principle of Least Privilege: Grant minimum access needed
2. Role-Based Access: Use roles, not individual users
3. Inherit When Possible: Use table-level ACLs as baseline
4. Document Everything: Add descriptions to all ACLs
5. Test Thoroughly: Verify with multiple user roles

Common Patterns

Pattern 1: Owner + Group Access

// Condition for owner or group member access
opened_by=javascript:gs.getUserID()^ORassignment_group.memberSOME=javascript:gs.getUserID()

Pattern 2: Hierarchical Access

// Managers can see their team's records
var mgr = new GlideRecord('sys_user');
mgr.addQuery('manager', gs.getUserID());
mgr.query();
var users = [gs.getUserID()];
while (mgr.next()) users.push(mgr.sys_id.toString());
answer = gs.getUser().getID() in users.join(',').split(',');

Pattern 3: Time-Based Access

// Only allow access during business hours
var now = new GlideDateTime();
var hour = now.getLocalTime().getHourOfDay();
answer = (hour >= 8 && hour < 18);

Tool Usage Summary

Operation	MCP Tool	REST Endpoint
Query ACLs	SN-Query-Table	GET /sys_security_acl
Create ACL	SN-Create-Record	POST /sys_security_acl
Update ACL	SN-Update-Record	PATCH /sys_security_acl
Add Role	SN-Create-Record	POST /sys_security_acl_role
Debug ACL	SN-Execute-Background-Script	Via sys_trigger
Check Schema	SN-Get-Table-Schema	GET /sys_dictionary

Troubleshooting

ACL Not Being Evaluated

Symptom: Changes to ACL have no effect Cause: ACL cache not cleared or ACL inactive Solution:

Tool: SN-Execute-Background-Script
Parameters:
  script: |
    // Clear ACL cache
    GlideAccessControl.reset();
    gs.info('ACL cache cleared');
  description: "Clear ACL cache"

Admin Can't Access Record

Symptom: Admin role blocked from record Cause: ACL has admin_overrides=false Solution:

Tool: SN-Query-Table
Parameters:
  table_name: sys_security_acl
  query: name=[table]^admin_overrides=false
  fields: name,operation,admin_overrides

Script ACL Always Fails

Symptom: Script-based ACL never grants access Cause: Script error or incorrect answer variable Solution:

• Verify script sets answer = true or answer = false
• Check for script errors in syslog
• Ensure advanced = true is set

Role Not Granting Access

Symptom: User has role but still denied Cause: ACL requires multiple roles (AND) or condition fails Solution:

Tool: SN-Query-Table
Parameters:
  table_name: sys_security_acl_role
  query: acl=[acl_sys_id]
  fields: role.name

All listed roles are required (AND logic by default).

Examples

Example 1: Secure a Custom Table

# Step 1: Create table-level read ACL
Tool: SN-Create-Record
Parameters:
  table_name: sys_security_acl
  data:
    name: "u_employee_data.*"
    operation: read
    type: record
    admin_overrides: true
    active: true
    description: "Base read access to employee data"

# Step 2: Add role requirement
Tool: SN-Create-Record
Parameters:
  table_name: sys_security_acl_role
  data:
    acl: [step1_sys_id]
    role: [hr_user_role_sys_id]

# Step 3: Create write ACL (more restrictive)
Tool: SN-Create-Record
Parameters:
  table_name: sys_security_acl
  data:
    name: "u_employee_data.*"
    operation: write
    type: record
    admin_overrides: true
    active: true
    description: "Write access to employee data - HR admins only"

# Step 4: Add admin role requirement
Tool: SN-Create-Record
Parameters:
  table_name: sys_security_acl_role
  data:
    acl: [step3_sys_id]
    role: [hr_admin_role_sys_id]

Example 2: Field-Level SSN Protection

# Protect SSN field - only security cleared users
Tool: SN-Create-Record
Parameters:
  table_name: sys_security_acl
  data:
    name: "u_employee_data.ssn"
    operation: read
    type: record
    admin_overrides: false
    active: true
    description: "SSN access restricted - security clearance required"

# Add special role
Tool: SN-Create-Record
Parameters:
  table_name: sys_security_acl_role
  data:
    acl: [ssn_acl_sys_id]
    role: [security_cleared_role_sys_id]

Related Skills

• security/audit-compliance - Auditing ACL changes
• security/incident-response - Responding to access violations
• security/data-classification - Identifying what needs protection
• admin/user-provisioning - Managing user roles

References

• ServiceNow ACL Documentation
• ACL Debugging
• Security Best Practices
• Role-Based Access Control