Outdated PHP versions can expose your WordPress website to unnecessary risk if it processes personal information, credit cards, or experiences high volumes of traffic (if applicable). Modern managed WordPress hosting services help reduce risk and improve security by keeping your website’s server-side components up to date, continuously monitored, and configured to meet current security standards. WordPress uses the PHP language, and when PHP is no longer supported or updated, all previously discovered vulnerabilities will be available for exploitation by malicious attackers.
Although it may be believed that upgrading your website’s security would cost thousands of dollars, this isn’t necessarily the reality. If you are using affordable WordPress hosting and your hosting company practices responsible maintenance, you can gain access to the most current version of PHP and have security patches applied. You get hardened servers without digging too deeply into your wallet.
PHP Lifecycle and Why It Matters
PHP is managed by the PHP group and has a set lifecycle for each major PHP version. There is active support for approximately two years from the point of a PHP major release, followed by one additional year of security-only updates. After this time, the version will cease to be supported. When a version reaches its end of life, no further security fixes are provided, even if a critical vulnerability is identified.
According to PHP.net, PHP 7.2 reached its end of life in November 2020, while PHP 7.4 reached its end of life in November 2022. Any website running on either version has software that does not receive security updates from its maintainers, creating a permanent exposure window for new attacking techniques.
Documented Security Vulnerabilities in Old PHP Versions
The security risks associated with older versions of PHP are not just an assumption. They have been substantiated through documented vulnerabilities found in the CVD. The National Vulnerability Database, maintained by NIST, records numerous vulnerabilities involving PHP, including but not limited to denial-of-service attacks, memory corruption, and remote code execution.
A report released in 2023 by Sucuri (a leading authority on website security) provided evidence that, in terms of the number of hacked WordPress websites, outdated software components were one of the three leading causes. The report also confirmed that more than 39% of all content management systems infected websites were operating in an outdated environment when they were compromised.
Performance Issues That Turn Into Security Problems
Earlier iterations of PHP carry an additional risk of creating latent performance deficiencies that can lead to unforeseen risks. With PHP code execution being performed more slowly, it increases the overall load on the server and increases the chance of the server going down during peak traffic. While attempting to resolve issues, an overwhelmed server may prompt the administrator to disable security plugins or cache layers.
According to W3Techs, as of 2024, 77% of all websites running on PHP have now upgraded their systems and migrated to run on PHP 8.x. Websites that remain on an older iteration of PHP are more likely to be perceived as a target of opportunity by hackers. This is because these environments are unlikely to be monitored or supported with regular updates, ensuring secure operation.
Hosting Environment Responsibility
High-quality managed hosting companies typically automatically perform updates for the version of PHP used by each customer, compatibility tests, and safely revert back to earlier versions through regular routine maintenance. This reduces the technical burden on customers who lack server knowledge.
Budget hosting solutions typically limit customers to an outdated version of PHP, as providers do not upgrade their infrastructure with the customer’s upgrade, which saves money for the provider. However, by doing this, it increases the security risk associated with that website to the website’s owner. The cost, both financial and otherwise, associated with repairing a hacked site, replacing lost data, and rebuilding user confidence typically far exceeds the savings associated with delaying the upgrade process.
Budget Hosting and Secure PHP Access
Low-end plans are available through many hosting providers who offer affordable WordPress hosting services. Some offer the latest PHP versions, automatic updates, and basic malware protection. The main differences between low-end plans and other options are how often you can see what you are being charged for updating the server and how transparent the provider is about their pricing policies.
Surveyed by Hosting Tribunal in 2024, 61% of those surveyed indicated that their websites were hosted by platforms that usually did not have a consistent schedule for server-side updates. The above finding demonstrates how a company can save money on web hosting without compromising the basic requirement of security best practices.
Concluding Insights
Outdated PHP versions provide a pathway to attacks on WordPress application vulnerabilities, degrading website performance, and increasing user liability associated with non-compliant web operations. Reports from numerous industry sources (including PHP.net, Sucuri, WordPress.org, and W3Techs) support the position that one of the major contributing factors toward web compromises is running or hosting a website with an older version of the PHP software. Therefore, selecting a hosting company offering regular, timely updates of PHP is a major factor for a long-term business.
By utilizing a managed WordPress hosting service with regular maintenance, the operational risks associated with WordPress websites can be reduced through the proactive management of software updates and the monitoring of website security. However, many cheap hosting options can provide adequate security and updated versions of the PHP environment if selected appropriately. While keeping PHP up to date is an enhancement for all websites, it is a requirement for protecting your website, users, and business integrity.