Websites taken down worldwide as critical PHP cyber-security update issued
Websites globally, including government portals, have taken pages offline due to severe security flaws in the PHP programming language. Developers have released urgent patches for vulnerabilities described as the most significant ever found. Cyber chiefs warn sites must update or go offline. The flaws affect 70% of the Internet, sparking a global cyber security scramble.
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- ✓ Websites worldwide, including Wikipedia and government portals, have taken pages offline following the discovery of severe security flaws in the PHP programming language.
- ✓ The vulnerabilities with PHP have been described as the most significant ever found by AI.
- ✓ PHP is used by 70% of the Internet.
- ✓ Cyber chiefs tell websites to make critical safety update or go offline.
What changed
The European Union's cyber-security agency warned that websites may need to be taken offline as PHP prepares patches for vulnerabilities, prompting a global response.
Live updates
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Websites worldwide taken down by critical PHP cyber-security update
Websites globally, including government portals, have taken pages offline due to severe security flaws in the PHP programming language. Developers have released urgent patches for vulnerabilities described as the most significant ever found. Cyber chiefs warn sites must update or go offline. The flaws affect 70% of the Internet, sparking a global cyber security scramble.
Why it matters
PHP is a widely used programming language across the internet. The discovered vulnerabilities have prompted an urgent response from cyber-security agencies and website operators. This incident highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security measures to protect against potential cyber threats.
What is confirmed
- Websites worldwide, including Wikipedia and government portals, have taken pages offline following the discovery of severe security flaws in the PHP programming language.
- The vulnerabilities with PHP have been described as the most significant ever found by AI.
- PHP is used by 70% of the Internet.
- Cyber chiefs tell websites to make critical safety update or go offline.
Still unconfirmed
- South Africa's Presidency announced its website was temporarily unavailable because of a 'global cybersecurity event'.
What to watch next
- Further updates on the implementation of patches by websites
- Details on the extent of the vulnerabilities' impact
- Assessment of the effectiveness of the patches released
confidence 85%Sources used for this update (17)
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- Reuters — EU agency warns websites may need to be taken offline as PHP prepares patches for vulnerabilities
- BBC — Cyber chiefs tell websites to make critical safety update or go offline
- wiz.io — PHP2Shell: AI uncovers critical RCE vulnerabilities affecting 70% of the Internet
- OpenAI — Patch the Planet: global response coordination as agents uncover critical vulnerabilities
- USA Today — A basic explanation of the 'critical' PHP flaw
- The Atlantic — Read This Website While You Still Can
- WIRED — Hackers Exploited the PHP Vulnerabilities Days Before They Were Patched
- BBC — PHP: What is it and why did it spark a global cyber security scramble?
- www.bbc.com — Websites taken down worldwide as critical cyber-security update issued
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