Details have been published of a critical flaw in the programming language PHP, which is the backbone of more than 70% of all websites. Left unfixed, the flaw would allow hackers to easily take over and compromise millions of websites and the information held on their servers. In response, multiple European governments and operators including the Port of Rotterdam have taken websites offline.
The Australian Signals Directorate, America’s Cyber Defence Agency, and similar bodies from the United Kingdom, Europe and Japan have all warned web developers to apply urgent updates to their core systems, and to consider taking down websites until safety can be guaranteed.
