SNOW-CAD Platform Features and Integration Practice Question
An organization uses ServiceNow with an external identity provider (IdP) for single sign-on (SSO). Users report that they cannot log in via SSO, but direct username/password login still works. The ServiceNow administrator checks the SAML2 configuration and sees that the 'Validate AuthnResponse Signature' checkbox is enabled and the 'X.509 Certificate' field is filled. What is the most likely cause of the SSO failure?
⚠ Common exam trap
ServiceNow often tests the distinction between request signing and response signing, leading candidates to incorrectly select 'AuthnRequest Signed' (Option D) when the real issue is the IdP's response certificate mismatch.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The IdP's signing certificate has been rotated, but the new certificate is not uploaded to ServiceNow
The most likely cause is that the IdP's signing certificate has been rotated, but the new certificate is not uploaded to ServiceNow. When 'Validate AuthnResponse Signature' is enabled, ServiceNow uses the uploaded X.509 certificate to verify the SAML assertion signature. If the IdP signs responses with a new certificate that ServiceNow does not have, signature validation fails, blocking SSO login while direct username/password login remains unaffected.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The 'Account lockout after invalid attempts' property is set too low
Why it's wrong here
Account lockout would affect both SSO and direct login equally.
- ✗
The 'Single Sign-On (SSO)' module is disabled in the ServiceNow application menu
Why it's wrong here
If the module were disabled, SAML configuration would not be accessible.
- ✓
The IdP's signing certificate has been rotated, but the new certificate is not uploaded to ServiceNow
Why this is correct
If the IdP signs the response with a new certificate, ServiceNow will fail to validate the signature.
- ✗
The 'AuthnRequest Signed' checkbox is not enabled in the SAML2 configuration
Why it's wrong here
This affects outbound authentication requests, not the validation of the IdP's response.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This SNOW-CAD practice question is part of Courseiva's free ServiceNow certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the SNOW-CAD exam.