Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2024-7262 is a critical WPS Office for Windows flaw that can let an attacker run code after a user opens a deceptive spreadsheet. CISA lists it as known exploited, so this is not just theoretical. Organizations using the affected WPS Office 12.2.0 build range should treat it as urgent.
Executive priority
Treat this as a near-term remediation priority because it combines critical impact, user-triggered document delivery, and confirmed known exploitation. Focus first on exposed Windows endpoints that process external spreadsheets.
Technical view
Improper path validation in promecefpluginhost.exe allows arbitrary Windows library loading in Kingsoft WPS Office versions from 12.2.0.13110 up to, but not including, 12.2.0.16412 on Windows. The CVE cites weaponization as a single-click deceptive spreadsheet exploit. CVSS v4.0 score is 9.3.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited by the provided sources to WPS Office on Windows in the affected 12.2.0 version range. Risk is highest where users receive and open external spreadsheet documents, especially through email or collaboration channels.
Exploitation context
Active exploitation is supported by CISA KEV and the CVE description says the issue was weaponized as a deceptive spreadsheet document. The provided bundle does not name threat actors, campaign scope, or public exploit details.
Researcher notes
The source bundle supports arbitrary library loading through path validation failure in promecefpluginhost.exe, user interaction, Windows WPS Office scope, and KEV status. It does not provide exploit internals, indicators, affected non-Windows products, or detailed patch notes.
Mitigation direction
- Inventory WPS Office for Windows installations and versions.
- Update affected WPS Office installations outside the vulnerable version range.
- Check Kingsoft WPS release guidance for the applicable fixed build.
- Restrict untrusted spreadsheet handling until affected systems are remediated.
- Prioritize endpoints used for email, finance, HR, and external document review.
Validation and detection
- Confirm whether WPS Office version is at least 12.2.0.16412 or otherwise vendor-fixed.
- Identify Windows endpoints running versions from 12.2.0.13110 to before 12.2.0.16412.
- Review endpoint telemetry for suspicious WPS Office child processes or library loads.
- Search mail and download sources for unexpected spreadsheet attachments opened by affected users.
- Verify CISA KEV remediation tracking includes CVE-2024-7262.
Public sources used
Michael Williams reviewed this cited source version on .
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-22: File access and web shell behavior lookup
File traversal and upload weaknesses can lead teams to review file, web shell, execution, and collection telemetry. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupExecution behavior lookup
The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2024-7262 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Critical
- CVSS
- 9.3 (4.0)
- Known Exploited
- Yes
- Published
Vector: CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:P/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:H/SI:H/SA:H/AU:N/RE:L
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CISA KEV status
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:P/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:H/SI:H/SA:H/AU:N/RE:L——Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 4.0 score
9.3CriticalVector: CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:P/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:H/SI:H/SA:H/AU:N/RE:L
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://www.wps.com/whatsnew/pc/20240422/CVE reference
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2024-7262CVE reference · government-resource
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')
Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.