# CVE-2026-7260: PHP Phar uncontrolled recursion in phar_get_link_source

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-7260-php-phar-uncontrolled-recursion-in-phar-get-link-source  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-07-30. Updated: 2026-07-30  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-7260 · Severity: info · CVSS 5.5 · Published 2026-07-30

A vulnerability in PHP's handling of Phar archives (a format used to package PHP applications) can allow an attacker to crash the PHP process. By providing a specially crafted archive file containing circular links, an attacker can trigger a system crash, leading to a denial of service. This could disrupt web services or applications that process user-uploaded archive files.

Technologies: [PHP Group PHP](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/php). Vendors: [PHP Group](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/php-group).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-7260 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-7260 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-7260?** Informational severity, with a CVSS score of 5.5, published 30 July 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** PHP Group PHP 8.2.0 - 8.2.32, 8.3.0 - 8.3.32, 8.4.0 - 8.4.23, 8.5.0 - 8.5.8.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-7260?** A patch was published on 2026-07-30: Fixed versions released Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-7260 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-7260?** Check whether you run PHP Group PHP 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

The phar_get_link_source() function in ext/phar/util.c recursively follows symbolic links within Phar archives without implementing depth limits or cycle detection. An attacker can craft a tar-based Phar archive containing circular symbolic links (e.g., File A points to File B, which points back to File A). When PHP attempts to resolve these links, it enters an unbounded recursion that exhausts the C stack, resulting in a segmentation fault and process crash. This is exploitable if an application processes untrusted Phar or Tar files. Patches are available in PHP versions 8.2.33, 8.3.33, 8.4.24, and 8.5.9.

## Affected products

- PHP Group PHP 8.2.0 - 8.2.32, 8.3.0 - 8.3.32, 8.4.0 - 8.4.23, 8.5.0 - 8.5.8

## Timeline

- 2026-07-30: advisory: GHSA-vc5h-9ppw-p5f3 published by PHP Group
- 2026-07-30: patched: Fixed versions released

## References

- [https://github.com/php/php-src/security/advisories/GHSA-vc5h-9ppw-p5f3](https://github.com/php/php-src/security/advisories/GHSA-vc5h-9ppw-p5f3)

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