The SharePoint worker process is the server-side component that handles SharePoint requests, runs application logic, and serves content on the farm. It sits close to the web-facing attack surface and often has access to data, configuration, and service credentials, which makes it a high-value target if an attacker reaches code execution.
In real attacks, compromise of the worker process can let an attacker execute commands as the SharePoint application identity, modify content, drop web shells, or pivot deeper into the network. Defenders look for suspicious child processes, unexpected file changes, abnormal administrative actions, and signs that the exact SharePoint build was not patched correctly. When a vulnerability enables authenticated RCE, the worker process is often where the impact first becomes visible.