CVE-2026-65954: PHPCSUtils Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

{
  "schema_version" : "1.4.0",
  "id" : "GHSA-r6hr-vr92-vv28",
  "modified" : "2026-09-29T17:57:16Z",
  "published" : "2026-09-29T17:57:16Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2026-65954" ],
  "summary" : "PHPCSUtils: Remote code execution via eval() in AbstractArrayDeclarationSniff::getActualArrayKey()",
  "details" : "### Impact\n\nPHPCSUtils 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()`.\n\nRunning 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.\n\nThe 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.\n\n### Known attack vectors\n\nKnown code paths that reach the vulnerable method include the following PHPCSExtra sniffs:\n\n- `Universal.Arrays.DuplicateArrayKey`\n- `Universal.Arrays.MixedArrayKeyTypes`\n\nOther packages that call `AbstractArrayDeclarationSniff::getActualArrayKey()` may also be vulnerable.\n\n### Patches\n\nThis issue has been fixed in PHPCSUtils 1.2.3. We recommend all users upgrade to 1.2.3 or later.\n\n### Workaround\n\nUsers 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):\n\n```xml\n<rule ref=\"Standard\">\n\t<exclude name=\"Standard.Category.SniffName\"/>\n</rule>\n```\n\nFor example, to disable the two PHPCSExtra sniffs listed under \"Known attack vectors\":\n\n```xml\n<rule ref=\"Universal\">\n\t<exclude name=\"Universal.Arrays.DuplicateArrayKey\"/>\n\t<exclude name=\"Universal.Arrays.MixedArrayKeyTypes\"/>\n</rule>\n```\n\nTo 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:\n\n```\nphpcs -e --standard=/path/to/ruleset.xml\n```\n\n### Credits\n\nMany thanks to [@rodrigoprimo](https://github.com/rodrigoprimo) for responsibly disclosing this vulnerability.\n\n### How can I report a security bug?\n\nPlease report security vulnerabilities privately via [the \"Security and quality\" tab on the PHPCSUtils repository](https://github.com/PHPCSStandards/PHPCSUtils/security).",
  "severity" : [ {
    "type" : "CVSS_V3",
    "score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H"
  } ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Packagist",
      "name" : "phpcsstandards/phpcsutils"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "1.0.0-alpha1"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "1.2.3"
      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/PHPCSStandards/PHPCSUtils/security/advisories/GHSA-r6hr-vr92-vv28"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/PHPCSStandards/PHPCSUtils/pull/778"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/PHPCSStandards/PHPCSUtils/commit/9f596b50ea4498ea57b8cb341e920233b044debf"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/FriendsOfPHP/security-advisories/blob/master/phpcsstandards/phpcsutils/CVE-2026-65954.yaml"
  }, {
    "type" : "PACKAGE",
    "url" : "https://github.com/PHPCSStandards/PHPCSUtils"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-95" ],
    "severity" : "HIGH",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2026-09-29T17:57:16Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : null
  }
}