GHSA-r6hr-vr92-vv28
PHPCSUtils: Remote code execution via eval() in AbstractArrayDeclarationSniff::getActualArrayKey()
Packages
| Ecosystem | Package | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Packagist | phpcsstandards/phpcsutils | >= 1.0.0-alpha1, < 1.2.3 | 1.2.3 |
Details
As written in the advisory (Markdown source, shown as plain text).
### Impact
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.DuplicateArrayKey`
- `Universal.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):
```xml
<rule ref="Standard">
<exclude name="Standard.Category.SniffName"/>
</rule>
```
For example, to disable the two PHPCSExtra sniffs listed under "Known attack vectors":
```xml
<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](https://github.com/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](https://github.com/PHPCSStandards/PHPCSUtils/security).
References
External links from the advisory. They lead to third-party sites.
- https://github.com/PHPCSStandards/PHPCSUtils/security/advisories/GHSA-r6hr-vr92-vv28
- https://github.com/PHPCSStandards/PHPCSUtils/pull/778
- https://github.com/PHPCSStandards/PHPCSUtils/commit/9f596b50ea4498ea57b8cb341e920233b044debf
- https://github.com/FriendsOfPHP/security-advisories/blob/master/phpcsstandards/phpcsutils/CVE-2026-65954.yaml
- https://github.com/PHPCSStandards/PHPCSUtils