Website hacked, what to do next, a Laravel developer's guide

Discovering your website has been hacked is a nightmare scenario for any business owner or developer. In November 2025, with cyber threats becoming more sophisticated, knowing how to react swiftly and effectively is crucial. This guide outlines the immediate steps to take if your Laravel website has been compromised, focusing on containment, investigation, and planning for recovery.

First response, contain the breach

The initial moments after discovering a hack are critical. Your priority is to contain the breach to prevent further damage and data loss. Here’s how:

Take the website offline: Immediately take your website offline. Display a static maintenance page explaining that the site is temporarily unavailable due to maintenance. This prevents further interaction with the compromised site and protects your users.
Isolate the environment: The next crucial step involves isolating your hacked website. This is where Docker comes in. Containerizing your application allows you to create a controlled environment for analysis without risking your entire server or network.

Using docker for isolation

Docker is a powerful tool for creating isolated environments. Here’s a basic example of how to containerize your Laravel application:

# Dockerfile FROM php:8.2-apache COPY . /var/www/html/ WORKDIR /var/www/html/ RUN apt-get update && apt-get install -y zip unzip RUN composer install --no-interaction --optimize-autoloader RUN chown -R www-data:www-data storage bootstrap/cache RUN a2enmod rewrite && a2dissite 000-default.conf && docker-php-ext-install pdo pdo_mysql # docker-compose.yml version: "3.8" services: app: build: . ports: - "8000:80" volumes: - .:/var/www/html/

This Dockerfile sets up a PHP environment, installs dependencies, and configures Apache. The `docker-compose.yml` file defines the services and volumes needed to run your application within the container. This setup isolates your application, making it safe to investigate.

Investigation, finding the entry point

Once the website is contained, the next step is to determine how the attackers gained access. This involves a thorough investigation of your system logs, application code, and server configuration.

Analyzing logs

Start by examining your server and application logs. Look for unusual activity, such as failed login attempts, unexpected file modifications, or suspicious requests. Key log files to investigate include:

Web server logs (e.g., Apache or Nginx): These logs record all incoming requests to your server. Look for patterns or specific requests that might indicate an exploit attempt.
Application logs (Laravel logs): Laravel’s logging system can provide insights into application-level errors and exceptions. Check for any unusual errors or warnings that might point to a vulnerability.
Authentication logs: Examine logs related to user authentication. Look for failed login attempts or successful logins from unfamiliar IP addresses.

Code review

Carefully review your application code, paying close attention to areas that handle user input, database queries, and file uploads. Common vulnerabilities include:

SQL injection: Ensure that all database queries are properly parameterized to prevent SQL injection attacks. Laravel’s Eloquent ORM provides built-in protection against SQL injection, but it’s important to use it correctly.
Cross-site scripting (XSS): Sanitize all user-generated content to prevent XSS attacks. Laravel provides helper functions like `e()` to escape output and protect against XSS.
File upload vulnerabilities: Validate all file uploads to prevent attackers from uploading malicious files. Ensure that uploaded files are stored outside the webroot and that appropriate permissions are set.
Authentication and authorization flaws: Review your authentication and authorization logic to ensure that it is secure. Use strong password hashing algorithms and implement proper access controls.

Security scanning tools

Consider using automated security scanning tools to identify potential vulnerabilities in your code. Tools like SonarQube or specialized Laravel security scanners can help you find common security flaws.

Patching vulnerabilities and hardening security

After identifying the vulnerabilities that led to the breach, the next step is to patch them and harden your website’s security. This involves updating your code, configuring your server, and implementing additional security measures.

Updating dependencies

Ensure that all your dependencies, including Laravel itself and any third-party packages, are up to date. Security updates often include patches for known vulnerabilities.

composer update

This command updates all your project dependencies to the latest versions that are compatible with your project.

Applying security patches

Apply any necessary security patches to your code. This might involve fixing SQL injection vulnerabilities, sanitizing user input, or implementing stronger authentication mechanisms.

Strengthening server configuration

Configure your server to enhance security. This includes:

Using HTTPS: Ensure that your website is served over HTTPS to encrypt all communication between the client and server.
Configuring firewalls: Set up firewalls to restrict access to your server and prevent unauthorized access.
Disabling unnecessary services: Disable any unnecessary services that might provide an entry point for attackers.

Implementing web application firewall (WAF)

A Web Application Firewall (WAF) can provide an additional layer of security by filtering malicious traffic and preventing common attacks. Consider using a WAF like Cloudflare or AWS WAF.

Recovery and restoration

Once you have patched the vulnerabilities and hardened your website’s security, the next step is to restore your website from a clean backup. Ensure that the backup is free from malware and that it does not contain the vulnerabilities that led to the breach.

Restoring from backup

Restore your website from the most recent clean backup. Verify that all data is intact and that the website is functioning correctly.

Monitoring and ongoing security

After restoring your website, it’s important to implement ongoing security measures to prevent future attacks. This includes:

Regular security audits: Conduct regular security audits to identify and address potential vulnerabilities.
Monitoring for suspicious activity: Monitor your website and server logs for suspicious activity. Set up alerts to notify you of potential security incidents.
Staying informed about security threats: Stay informed about the latest security threats and vulnerabilities. Subscribe to security mailing lists and follow security blogs to stay up to date.

Business decisions, planning for the future

Dealing with a hacked website involves not only technical solutions but also strategic business decisions. Here's how to align your business approach with the technical recovery process:

Communication strategy

Develop a clear communication strategy to inform stakeholders, including customers, employees, and partners, about the security incident. Transparency is crucial for maintaining trust and credibility.

Incident response plan

Create a comprehensive incident response plan that outlines the steps to take in the event of a security breach. This plan should include roles and responsibilities, communication protocols, and technical procedures.

Security awareness training

Provide security awareness training to your employees to help them recognize and avoid phishing attacks, social engineering scams, and other common security threats.

Insurance and legal considerations

Consider purchasing cyber insurance to cover the costs associated with a security breach, such as data recovery, legal fees, and customer notification expenses. Consult with legal counsel to understand your legal obligations and potential liabilities.

Conclusion

A website hack can be a devastating experience, but by taking swift action and implementing appropriate security measures, you can contain the breach, identify the vulnerabilities, and restore your website to a secure state. Remember, security is an ongoing process, and it’s important to stay vigilant and proactive to protect your website and your business. By containerizing your applications with Docker, performing thorough investigations, applying patches, and making informed business decisions, you can mitigate the impact of a security incident and strengthen your overall security posture. Staying informed, conducting regular security audits, and fostering a security-conscious culture within your organization are essential for long-term protection.

Help, my website is hacked what now