Websites across world hit by millions of attempts to exploit PHP code flaw

Why This Matters

Key context: <p>Problem in language that underpins 70% of sites has led governments and companies to pull sites offline to patch fault</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/oct/22/tell-us-small-business-have-you-been-affected-by-the-php-code-flaw">Tell us: have you been affected by the PHP code flaw?</a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/oct/22/what-is-php-computer-language-flaw-causing-global-website-shutdowns">What is PHP, and how bad is the computer language flaw causing website shutdowns globally</a>?</p></li></ul><p>Websites around the world have been hit by millions of attempts to exploit a recently discovered vulnerability in their code, cybersecurity companies have said, as the US warned the flaw could allow attackers to take control of web servers, steal data and disrupt services.</p><p>The problem in the PHP programming language, which underpins about 70% of the world’s websites, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/oct/21/flaw-in-php-computer-language-leads-to-shutdown-of-websites-around-world">emerged on Wednesday</a> causing governments and companies to pull their websites off the internet before they could be attacked and so they could patch the fault.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/oct/22/websites-across-world-hit-by-millions-of-attempts-to-exploit-php-code-flaw">Continue reading...</a> This development from The Guardian highlights ongoing changes in the sector.