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PHP Security

PHP 7.4 End of Life: Security Issues Site Owners Should Not Ignore

PHP 7.4 stopped receiving official PHP security support years ago. If a WordPress site still depends on it, the site has an upgrade problem.

By Fixnx Security TeamReviewed by Fixnx Security Team
Fixnx PHP 7.4 end of life security guide

Quick answer

PHP 7.4 reached end of life on November 28, 2022. Sites still running PHP 7.4 should treat it as a security and maintenance risk and plan a tested move to a supported PHP branch.

PHP 7.4 was a strong release in its time, but that time is over. The official PHP unsupported branches page lists PHP 7.4 as end of life since November 28, 2022.

If your WordPress site still runs on PHP 7.4 in 2026, the real issue is usually compatibility debt. Some plugin, theme, host, or custom code is stopping the site from moving to a supported PHP version.

PHP 7.4 end of life snapshot

The PHP project no longer provides normal fixes or security fixes for PHP 7.4. The last PHP 7.4 release listed by php.net is PHP 7.4.33.

Some operating system vendors may offer separate extended packages, but that is not the same as being supported by the PHP project. Website owners should not assume their stack is safe just because the site still loads.

  • PHP 7.4 initial release: November 28, 2019.
  • PHP 7.4 end of life: November 28, 2022.
  • Last PHP 7.4 release: 7.4.33.
  • Recommended action: migrate to a supported PHP branch.

PHP 7.4 security issues to check

The danger is not only one known bug. The danger is that new bugs discovered after end of life do not get fixed by the PHP project for PHP 7.4.

Old PHP also keeps old plugins alive. That creates a chain: old runtime, old dependencies, old WordPress code, and old server settings.

  • Unsupported PHP branch with no official PHP security fixes.
  • Plugins and themes may be abandoned because they only support old PHP.
  • Hosting may also be old, which can mean weak TLS, old database versions, or missing security headers.
  • Public warnings can leak server paths and plugin names.
  • Compliance and insurance reviews may reject end-of-life software.

Safe PHP 7.4 upgrade checklist

  1. Take a full backup before changing anything.
  2. Create staging on PHP 8.2, PHP 8.4, or PHP 8.5.
  3. Update WordPress core, plugins, themes, and composer packages.
  4. Replace plugins that only support PHP 7.4.
  5. Test login, forms, checkout, uploads, cron, email, search, and API calls.
  6. Fix fatal errors and warnings before production.
  7. Move production to a supported PHP branch and monitor logs.

Example Fixnx finding

A Fixnx scan might show old WordPress plugin paths, public backup files, and weak headers on a site that also runs PHP 7.4.

That combination is serious because the site is showing signs of old application code and old server maintenance at the same time.

  • Evidence: old plugin assets, exposed backup files, and weak headers.
  • Impact: attackers can target known old WordPress and PHP-era patterns.
  • Fix: remove exposed files, update the stack, and move off PHP 7.4.
  • Retest: scan after migration and after cache clears.

What to fix first

  1. Move the site off PHP 7.4 as the main goal.
  2. Replace abandoned plugins and themes that block the upgrade.
  3. Remove public backups, debug files, and old install files.
  4. Fix login, forms, checkout, and admin errors after the runtime switch.
  5. Harden headers, cookies, HTTPS, and exposed plugin paths.

Recommended next steps

Website vulnerability scanner

Run the main Fixnx public website scanner.

WordPress security scan

Check WordPress-specific exposure before and after migration.

Sample security report

See how Fixnx presents evidence and recommended fixes.

Trusted external resources

PHP unsupported branches

Official PHP end-of-life table for unsupported branches.

PHP supported versions

Official PHP support table for current branches.

W3Techs PHP version statistics

Usage statistics for PHP versions across websites.

FAQ

Is PHP 7.4 still supported?

No. The official PHP unsupported branches page lists PHP 7.4 as end of life since November 28, 2022.

Can a WordPress site still run on PHP 7.4?

Yes, some sites still run on PHP 7.4, but that does not make it a good production choice in 2026.

What should I upgrade PHP 7.4 to?

Test a supported branch such as PHP 8.4 or PHP 8.5. Some older sites may need an intermediate PHP 8.2 staging test first.

Why is PHP 7.4 risky?

PHP 7.4 no longer receives official PHP security fixes. It also often means the site has old plugins, old themes, and old hosting settings.

Find public risk before upgrading from PHP 7.4

Run a Fixnx scan before and after the migration to see exposed files, headers, SEO drift, and public errors.

Run a website scanView sample report