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GHSA-r6hr-vr92-vv28
phpcsstandards/phpcsutilsImpact
PHPCSUtils versions 1.0.0-alpha1 through 1.2.2 contain an arbitrary code execution vulnerability in PHPCSUtils\AbstractSniffs\AbstractArrayDeclarationSniff::getActualArrayKey(). The vulnerable method is reached by any sniff that extends AbstractArrayDeclarationSniff and calls getActualArrayKey().
Running PHPCS over untrusted PHP code through such a sniff, for example, in a CI pipeline that lints pull requests, or on a developer machine reviewing third-party code, could lead to arbitrary command execution on the scanning host.
The vulnerability happens when the method determines the value of an array key using eval(). A maliciously crafted array key such as 'system'('id') would be executed when the code was scanned.
Known attack vectors
Known code paths that reach the vulnerable method include the following PHPCSExtra sniffs:
Universal.Arrays.DuplicateArrayKeyUniversal.Arrays.MixedArrayKeyTypes
Other packages that call AbstractArrayDeclarationSniff::getActualArrayKey() may also be vulnerable.
Patches
This issue has been fixed in PHPCSUtils 1.2.3. We recommend all users upgrade to 1.2.3 or later.
Workaround
Users who cannot upgrade immediately can disable the sniffs that reach the vulnerable method by adding <exclude> tags to their custom ruleset (replace the placeholder standard and sniff names with the ones used in your setup):
<rule ref="Standard">
<exclude name="Standard.Category.SniffName"/>
</rule>
For example, to disable the two PHPCSExtra sniffs listed under "Known attack vectors":
<rule ref="Universal">
<exclude name="Universal.Arrays.DuplicateArrayKey"/>
<exclude name="Universal.Arrays.MixedArrayKeyTypes"/>
</rule>
To verify that the sniffs have been disabled, run PHPCS with the -e flag, which lists all the sniffs a standard will run. The excluded sniffs should no longer appear in the output:
phpcs -e --standard=/path/to/ruleset.xml
Credits
Many thanks to @rodrigoprimo for responsibly disclosing this vulnerability.
How can I report a security bug?
Please report security vulnerabilities privately via the "Security and quality" tab on the PHPCSUtils repository.
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The vulnerability requires local access to the device to be exploited. It is easy for an attacker to exploit this vulnerability. An attacker does not need any special privileges or access rights. The attacker needs the user to perform some action, like clicking a link. The vulnerability can affect other systems as well, not just the initial system. There is a high impact on the confidentiality of the information. There is a high impact on the integrity of the data. There is a high impact on the availability of the system.
Exploitation activity has been observed. Apply available patches or mitigations urgently.
Probability that this vulnerability will be exploited in the wild within the next 30 days.
We did not find any exploit available. Neither in GitHub repositories nor in the Exploit-Database.
- CVE-2026-65954Alias
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