{
  "id": 15994989,
  "title": "Websites go dark as AI exposes critical security flaws",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/22/websites-go-dark-as-ai-exposes-critical-security-flaws-15994989",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-10-22T03:32:52.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu - Sci-Tech",
    "slug": "the-hindu-sci-tech",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/websites-go-dark-as-ai-exposes-critical-security-flaws/article71609942.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Websites went dark globally on Wednesday as AI uncovered critical security flaws in PHP, a programming language that underpins a large portion of the internet. PHP runs on the servers of many popular websites, including online stores, news outlets, and government services, making the vulnerabilities potentially widespread. Two major flaws were discovered by security firms Wiz and Calif, who used AI models to scan PHP's code. The flaws often provided attackers direct access to a server's file system or database, enabling them to take control without needing a password. The US National Security Agency advised organizations to either patch immediately or take their affected systems offline. Major platforms built on other languages or using easy-to-update methods remained operational. PHP developers released a fix shortly after the flaws were discovered. Experts warn that AI models have made it easier than ever to uncover such vulnerabilities, potentially posing a new kind of cyber threat.",
  "summary": "PHP sits underneath popular web design platforms, so the weaknesses potentially affect a vast range of websites",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 9,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Websites go dark worldwide as AI exposes critical security flaws",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/websites-go-dark-worldwide-as-ai-exposes-critical-security-flaws-15915458",
        "published": "2026-10-21T16:05:38.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Websites go dark worldwide as AI exposes critical security flaws",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/websites-go-dark-worldwide-as-ai-exposes-critical-security-flaws",
        "published": "2026-10-21T16:57:03.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Business Recorder",
        "title": "Websites go dark worldwide as AI exposes critical security flaws",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/websites-go-dark-worldwide-as-ai-exposes-critical-security-flaws-15918979",
        "published": "2026-10-21T16:59:55.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Le Monde English",
        "title": "Websites worldwide go dark as AI exposes security flaws",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/websites-worldwide-go-dark-as-ai-exposes-security-flaws",
        "published": "2026-10-21T17:07:54.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Newsweek",
        "title": "Critical PHP Flaws Threaten Millions of Websites in New AI Security Test",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/critical-php-flaws-threaten-millions-of-websites-in-new-ai-security",
        "published": "2026-10-21T19:03:58.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "SCMP Tech",
        "title": "Websites go dark worldwide as AI exposes critical security flaws",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/websites-go-dark-worldwide-as-ai-exposes-critical-security-flaws-15959136",
        "published": "2026-10-21T22:10:59.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Websites go dark as AI exposes critical security flaws",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/websites-go-dark-as-ai-exposes-critical-security-flaws",
        "published": "2026-10-21T23:21:59.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "RTHK News - Finance",
        "title": "Websites go dark as AI exposes critical security flaws",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/22/websites-go-dark-as-ai-exposes-critical-security-flaws",
        "published": "2026-10-22T00:03:32.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}