# CVE-2026-64809: JetBrains PhpStorm arbitrary code execution via configured interpreter

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-64809-jetbrains-phpstorm-arbitrary-code-execution-via-configured  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-07-23. Updated: 2026-07-23  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-64809 · Severity: high · CVSS 8.4 · Published 2026-07-23

PhpStorm, a popular development environment for PHP developers, contained a security flaw that could allow malicious code to run on a user's computer. This could happen automatically when opening a project, even before the user has explicitly marked the project as 'trusted.' An attacker could use this to gain full control over a developer's workstation, potentially leading to the theft of source code, credentials, or sensitive company data.

Technologies: [Jetbrains PhpStorm](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/phpstorm). Vendors: [Jetbrains](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/jetbrains).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-64809 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-64809 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-64809?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 8.4, published 23 July 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Jetbrains PhpStorm before 2026.2.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-64809?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-2026-64809 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in a network appliance.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-64809?** Check whether you run Jetbrains PhpStorm at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Technical details

A vulnerability in JetBrains PhpStorm versions prior to 2026.2 allowed for arbitrary code execution due to improper handling of untrusted control spheres (CWE-829). The flaw exists in the way the IDE interacts with configured interpreters when a project is first opened. Specifically, the application could execute code through the interpreter before the 'Project Trust' security mechanism had a chance to intervene and block unauthorized actions. An attacker could exploit this by providing a malicious project configuration that triggers code execution upon being loaded by the IDE. This issue has been resolved in version 2026.2.

## Affected products

- JetBrains PhpStorm before 2026.2

## Timeline

- 2026-07-23: disclosed
- 2026-07-23: advisory

## References

- [https://www.jetbrains.com/privacy-security/issues-fixed/](https://www.jetbrains.com/privacy-security/issues-fixed/)

## Related threats

- [JetBrains PhpStorm automatic project file upload to deployment server](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-123858-in-jetbrains-phpstorm-before-2026-3-project-files-could-be)
- [JetBrains PhpStorm XML external entity injection in PHPMD ruleset autodetection](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-123857-in-jetbrains-phpstorm-before-2026-3-xxe-was-possible-in)
- [JetBrains Toolbox App and IDEs compromised certificate trust](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-118697-in-jetbrains-toolbox-app-before-3-9-1-and-3-8-2-intellij-idea)
- [JetBrains IDEs embedded browser trusted revoked certificates](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-118696-in-jetbrains-intellij-idea-pycharm-phpstorm-rubymine-and)
- [JetBrains PhpStorm arbitrary code execution in project tooling](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-64808-jetbrains-phpstorm-arbitrary-code-execution-in-project-tooling)
