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Critical PHP flaws take websites offline as EU officials urge operators to patch

By ChordNews · First written (new coverage , updated )

Websites go dark as AI exposes critical security flaws
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Summary

Government websites in Europe and elsewhere went offline after critical vulnerabilities were disclosed in PHP, a widely used programming language, prompting website operators worldwide to scramble to protect their systems. EU cybersecurity officials have warned organisations that cannot apply planned fixes to take affected websites offline, and two critical flaws in PHP, which powers WordPress sites, could let hackers seize control of servers. PHP developers published an advisory on Tuesday describing the vulnerabilities, which carry a critical severity rating, and security patches are expected to roll out on 21 October to fix them. Websites are being taken down worldwide as the critical security update is issued, and the vulnerabilities have been described as the most significant ever found by AI.

Later: Websites go dark worldwide as AI uncovers flaws in code powering much of the internet · PHP security flaws take websites offline across Europe as operators race to patch · Major websites go offline as operators race to patch a serious PHP vulnerability · AI Finds Software Flaw That Could Affect 70% of Websites as Governments and Companies Race to Patch · Websites in the Netherlands, Finland and at Wikimedia go dark as operators judge keeping them online too risky · Critical PHP flaws, uncovered with AI help, renew debate over global AI regulation

Timeline

  1. RTÉ

    Source ↗

    Government websites in Europe and elsewhere went offline after critical vulnerabilities in a widely used programming language were disclosed, and EU cybersecurity officials warned organisations unable to apply planned fixes to take affected websites offline.

  2. The Straits Times

    Source ↗

    Two critical flaws in PHP, which powers WordPress sites, could let hackers seize control of servers, and EU cyber officials are telling websites to patch or go dark.

  3. The Verge

    Source ↗

    Security patches for PHP are expected to roll out today to fix two critical vulnerabilities, according to an advisory PHP developers published on Tuesday that gives the flaws a critical severity rating.

  4. BBC News

    Source ↗

    Websites are being taken down worldwide as a critical cyber-security update is issued, and the PHP vulnerabilities have been described as the most significant ever found by AI.

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