CVE-2024-7262: Kingsoft WPS Office Path Traversal Vulnerability

CVE-2024-7262 is a path traversal vulnerability in Kingsoft WPS Office on Windows. It affects the component promecefpluginhost.exe and can allow an attacker to load an arbitrary Windows library. For IT and security teams, this matters because successful abuse of such a flaw can lead to code execution under the context of the affected process, potentially enabling further compromise of the host. Confirm all product-specific details against the vendor advisory.

CISA notes that organizations should apply mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable. Known ransomware use is not documented for this CVE.

How it works

This issue is classified as CWE-22, Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory (Path Traversal). In path traversal flaws, software fails to properly sanitize user-controlled input that influences file or path operations, allowing an attacker to escape intended directories and reach locations outside the expected scope.

According to the CISA summary, the vulnerability resides in promecefpluginhost.exe within Kingsoft WPS Office on Windows. An attacker can abuse the path traversal to cause the process to load an arbitrary Windows library. In general terms for this class of weakness, that typically means the attacker supplies a crafted path (for example, using sequences that navigate outside a restricted directory) so that a library of their choosing is loaded instead of a legitimate one. Exact exploit mechanics, required input format, and any preconditions are not detailed here and must be confirmed against the vendor advisory. No exploit code or specific attack chain is provided in the available facts.

Am I affected? How to find it in your systems

Kingsoft WPS Office is a productivity suite commonly installed on Windows endpoints in both enterprise and consumer environments. The vulnerable component is promecefpluginhost.exe. Inventory efforts should focus on Windows systems that have WPS Office installed.

• Query software inventory tools, SCCM/Intune, or endpoint management platforms for the presence of Kingsoft WPS Office packages.
• Search file systems for promecefpluginhost.exe and note its full path and version metadata where available.
• Review installed application lists via PowerShell (Get-ItemProperty on uninstall registry keys) or WMI to identify WPS Office installations.
• Because exact affected version ranges are not supplied in the facts, treat any installation of the product as potentially in scope until you confirm the fixed versions listed in the vendor advisory.

For signs of exploitation, look for unusual library loads or process behavior associated with promecefpluginhost.exe. Endpoint detection and response (EDR) telemetry that records module loads, process creation, or file access outside expected WPS directories may surface anomalies. Windows event logs related to image loads or application errors involving that executable can also be useful. Correlate any such activity with unexpected network connections or subsequent process launches. Absence of public indicators of compromise in the given facts means teams should rely on behavioral detection and vendor guidance.

How to remediate

The primary remediation is to apply the vendor-supplied update that addresses CVE-2024-7262. Follow the instructions in the Kingsoft WPS Office advisory for the correct patch or newer release. After installation, verify that promecefpluginhost.exe has been replaced or updated as expected and re-inventory systems to confirm coverage.

In addition to patching:

• Remove or disable unused WPS Office components or plugins if the vendor provides that option.
• Enforce least privilege so that WPS Office processes run with minimal rights; this limits the impact of arbitrary library loading.
• Apply application control policies (for example, AppLocker or Windows Defender Application Control) that restrict which libraries can be loaded by WPS-related executables.
• Keep the broader Windows environment patched and ensure EDR or antivirus solutions are current and monitoring for suspicious module loads.

CISA’s required action is to apply mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable. Document the remediation status for audit and compliance purposes.

If you can't patch immediately

When immediate patching is not feasible, implement compensating controls to reduce exposure:

• Network segmentation: isolate systems running WPS Office from high-value assets and restrict outbound traffic from those hosts where practical.
• Virtual patching or WAF-style controls: if the attack surface involves network-reachable interfaces (confirm with the vendor advisory), deploy temporary signatures or rules that block known path-traversal patterns; note that this vulnerability is described in the context of a local executable, so network controls may have limited effect.
• Disable or remove the affected feature: if promecefpluginhost.exe or related plugin functionality can be turned off without breaking critical workflows, do so until a patch is applied.
• Enhanced monitoring: increase logging and alerting on process and module-load events for promecefpluginhost.exe; feed these into your SIEM or EDR for rapid triage.
• Application allow-listing: prevent unauthorized libraries from loading into WPS processes.
• As a last resort, discontinue use of the product on high-risk systems until a fix is available, consistent with CISA guidance.

These measures do not eliminate the vulnerability but can lower the likelihood and impact of successful exploitation. Revisit the vendor advisory regularly for any additional interim guidance.

If your data may have been exposed

Actively exploited vulnerabilities can lead to breaches in which sensitive data is accessed or exfiltrated. Although known ransomware use is not documented for CVE-2024-7262, any successful library load could enable further attacker activity. If you suspect compromise, follow your incident response plan: isolate affected hosts, preserve forensic evidence, and investigate for lateral movement or data access. Readers can run a free exposure scan of their email to check known breach data and determine whether associated accounts appear in public breach corpora. Confirm any specific indicators or post-exploitation guidance against the vendor advisory and your own telemetry.