Library website temporarily offline due to security vulnerability

The Staden library website is temporarily inaccessible due to a serious security flaw in PHP, affecting other government websites as well.

Generic image of a dark computer screen displaying abstract code or error messages, representing a cybersecurity issue. The background is blurred, suggesting an office environment at night. Focus on the screen's glow.
AI

Generic image of a dark computer screen displaying abstract code or error messages, representing a cybersecurity issue. The background is blurred, suggesting an office environment at night. Focus on the screen's glow.

The website of the Staden library has been temporarily taken offline due to a serious security vulnerability in PHP, a widely used programming language.

Several authorities, including the city of Antwerp, the city of Ghent, and the Flemish government, have temporarily taken websites offline as a precaution. Consequently, the library website staden.bibliotheek.be is also temporarily unreachable.
Cultuurconnect, the organization managing the websites of Flemish libraries, is working on a secure solution. The website will be back online as soon as the issue is resolved.
The websites www.staden.be and www.stadenbon.be do not use PHP and are therefore unaffected by this security flaw. These websites remain safely usable. Other online services of the municipality are also being checked for potential risks.
It is currently unknown when the library website will be accessible again. Further updates will be provided via www.staden.be.
Based on information from the official source: Gemeente Staden (21/10/2026)