---
id: CVE-2026-65954
aliases:
  - GHSA-r6hr-vr92-vv28
title: >-
  PHPCSUtils: Remote code execution via eval() in
  AbstractArrayDeclarationSniff::getActualArrayKey()
summary: >-
  PHPCSUtils: Remote code execution via eval() in
  AbstractArrayDeclarationSniff::getActualArrayKey()
severity: high
cvss: 8.6
cwe:
  - CWE-95
vendor: phpcsstandards
product: phpcsstandards/phpcsutils
ecosystem: composer
affected:
  - 'phpcsstandards/phpcsutils >= 1.0.0-alpha1, < 1.2.3'
patched:
  - phpcsstandards/phpcsutils 1.2.3
published: '2026-09-29'
updated: '2026-09-29'
sourceUpdated: '2026-09-29T17:57:17Z'
source: GHSA
sourceUrl: 'https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-r6hr-vr92-vv28'
references:
  - url: >-
      https://github.com/PHPCSStandards/PHPCSUtils/security/advisories/GHSA-r6hr-vr92-vv28
  - url: 'https://github.com/PHPCSStandards/PHPCSUtils/pull/778'
  - url: >-
      https://github.com/PHPCSStandards/PHPCSUtils/commit/9f596b50ea4498ea57b8cb341e920233b044debf
  - url: >-
      https://github.com/FriendsOfPHP/security-advisories/blob/master/phpcsstandards/phpcsutils/CVE-2026-65954.yaml
  - url: 'https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-r6hr-vr92-vv28'
tags:
  - ghsa
  - composer
ingestedAt: '2026-09-29T18:42:35.833Z'
---

## Overview

### 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).

## Affected packages

- `phpcsstandards/phpcsutils >= 1.0.0-alpha1, < 1.2.3`

## Remediation

Upgrade to a patched release:

- `phpcsstandards/phpcsutils 1.2.3`