Fatal error: Uncaught Error: Attempt to assign property “external” on array

Same message on more websites running a scan!

Roll back PHP version 7.4.
Scan Complete. But now the message:
Warning: Attempt to assign property ‘external’ of non-object in /domains/cvanstam.nl/public_html/wpinstal/wp-admin/includes/plugin-install.php on line 222
Wordfence not ready for PHP 8.0? And what is the warning?

Hi @cvs,

We have seen another case recently where a warning like this in 7.4 presents as a fatal when upgraded to PHP8. Not all WordPress plugins are fully updated/tested with PHP8 yet but many customers can have a totally trouble-free experience depending on their plugins/configuration.

The issue is that file’s PHP code is running when our scan tries to check pending updates for WordPress. The scan might be able to finish if you temporarily disable “Scan for out of date, abandoned, and vulnerable plugins, themes, and WordPress versions” in Wordfence > All Options > General Options but of course, that is also an important part of the scan so should just be used as a test rather than a solution.

It could be that another plugin is also hooking the WordPress plugins API and causing the problem. Use a staging site or maintenance mode plugin to deactivate all plugins except Wordfence and enable one-by-one until the error appears in the scan to see which one is the cause. In this kind of outcome, the plugin developer would have to be contacted to see if they can review their plugin code.

Thanks,

Peter.