Dutch motorcycle retailers take websites offline over PHP vulnerabilities

Websites belonging to three large Dutch motorcycle retailers have been taken offline as a precaution after vulnerabilities were found in PHP, the software used to run their sites.

MotoPort, which has more than ten branches across the Netherlands, said a “global security problem” prompted it to take its website offline temporarily. Van Meel Motoren, based in Brabant, said it had taken all its online shops offline to reduce the risk of attackers gaining access to systems and potentially stealing sensitive data. The website of Goedhart Motoren, in Bodegraven, was also unavailable, according to ANP.

The incidents form part of a wider disruption in the Netherlands after two PHP vulnerabilities were reported. Websites across the country, including government and political-party sites, were taken offline as a precaution. A security update later became available, although the Dutch National Cyber Security Centre warned that securing all affected systems would take time.

The three retailers’ websites were reported offline on Wednesday; the report did not say when they would return.