Cyber Security Readiness and PHP Vulnerabilities

The UK National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) published an alert on 21 October 2026 about critical vulnerabilities affecting PHP, a software used by many websites and online applications worldwide. PHP has released a security update to address them. The vulnerabilities, tracked as CVE-2026-109618 and CVE-2026-109619, could allow an attacker to run commands remotely on a web server running PHP without needing to log in. The NCSC advises all organisations using PHP to assess their exposure, regardless of version.

The Cayman Islands Government, through the Cyber Security Unit, eGovernment Department and Computer Services Department, is reviewing our environments for vulnerable systems and taking appropriate action.

GOV.KY and myegov.ky operate on a platform which does not use PHP. These vulnerabilities therefore do not directly affect the underlying platform. Other systems and services require individual assessment, and our teams are assessing exposure across other Government systems and ensuring appropriate protective measures are taken. This work follows the priority guidance issued by the NCSC and the PHP Foundation, including identifying systems that run PHP, applying available security updates and mitigations, and monitoring for signs of compromise.

Cyber security is a shared responsibility

Cyber security readiness requires continuous attention: identifying risks, updating systems, preparing to respond to incidents and helping people make informed decisions online. No jurisdiction can eliminate every cyber risk, but Government, businesses and residents each have a role in strengthening Cayman’s resilience.

That shared responsibility is central to Government’s Cyber Safe public education campaign, which provides practical guidance to help residents recognise suspicious requests, protect their accounts and know what to do if they believe they have been targeted.

For businesses and organisations

The immediate action is to ask your IT team or hosting provider whether your systems use PHP and to confirm that the necessary security updates have been applied. This technical work must be handled by those responsible for maintaining the systems.

For residents

The campaign’s message remains: check before you click, pay or share. Criminals may use news of security issues to make fraudulent messages appear credible. An unexpected request to “secure your account”, provide a verification code or make an urgent payment should be checked independently.

Pause before acting. Find the organisation’s official website or contact details separately, rather than using those supplied in the message. A familiar logo, face or voice is not proof that a request is genuine.

Visit gov.ky/cybersafe for practical guidance and verified information.