Nova Scotia Restores Most Government Websites After PHP Security Vulnerability
Approximately 300 Nova Scotia government websites were taken offline as a precaution after a security vulnerability was identified in the PHP programming language. While the vast majority have been restored, complex sites including the legislature's website remain offline and full restoration could take several weeks.
The Nova Scotia government is working to restore approximately 300 websites that were taken offline on Wednesday as a precautionary measure. The shutdown followed the identification of a security vulnerability last week in the PHP programming language, which the affected sites use.
Jennifer LaPlante, the province’s deputy minister of cyber security and digital solutions, provided a status update on Monday, confirming that the vast majority of the affected websites are back online. Priority was given to restoring operational and public service sites.
A few complex websites remain offline, including the legislature’s website. LaPlante did not list other specific sites due to security concerns. It could be several weeks before all sites are fully restored.
While the complex sites are being fixed, temporary sites with reduced functionality may be established to provide public access.