Hacking attempts rise after flaws found in program affecting 70 percent of websites

A critical security vulnerability in the PHP programming language, which powers 70 percent of the web, has prompted urgent warnings from global cybersecurity agencies. While AI tools helped identify the flaw, organizations are now scrambling to patch their systems to prevent widespread exploitation.
Why it matters
Because PHP underpins a vast majority of the internet, this vulnerability poses a systemic risk to global digital infrastructure and data security.
A few months ago AI caused global alarm after autonomous agents were found to have cheated on evaluations and then tried to cover it up, in what became known as the "Hugging Face hack."
Understanding AI The AI safety debate is confusing. Here's our guide to the different factions This week, AI and hacking are back in the spotlight with AI technology credited to have helped prevent a global cybersecurity crisis.
Cyber-security firm Wiz Research, using OpenAI technology, announced on Wednesday it had discovered security flaws in a computer programming language that helps run some 70 percent of the world's websites.
OpenAI called the bug "one of the most impactful vulnerabilities in recent memory." Wiz Research warned that its "successful exploitation could allow attackers to take control of affected servers, steal sensitive data, and deface the websites running on them."
Headlinne story · 7 newsrooms
Global Websites Go Dark After AI Uncovers Critical Programming Language Flaws
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