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PHP Deserializer

BackendDeveloperJSONSecurityTesting

Convert serialized PHP data to readable JSON format with our free PHP Deserializer tool. Safely inspect and analyze PHP serialized strings without executing code.

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INPUT

Auto Process

OUTPUT

Client Side

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Guide

What is a PHP Deserializer?

A PHP Deserializer is a specialized tool that converts serialized PHP data back into its original readable format. When PHP objects or arrays are serialized, they’re transformed into a compact string representation for storage or transmission. The PHP Deserializer tool helps developers and security professionals decode these strings to inspect their contents.

Key Features

Simple Interface: Drop your text file or paste serialized PHP data directly
Auto Processing: Automatically converts serialized PHP strings to JSON
Client-Side Processing: Handles your data securely in the browser
File Upload Support: Process serialized PHP data from text files
JSON Output: Converts PHP objects and arrays to clean JSON format

When to Use PHP Deserializer

Debugging application data stored in databases
Examining PHP session data
Analyzing potentially malicious serialized data
Recovering information from serialized backups
Inspecting PHP cache contents
Testing unserialize() operations safely

How to Use

Enter your serialized PHP data in the input field or upload a text file
Simply wait for automatic processing
View the decoded result in JSON format in the output panel
Copy the results or continue editing with the linked JSON Editor

Common Serialized PHP Data Formats

Format	Description	Example
Strings	Prefixed with ‘s:’ followed by length	`s:5:"hello"`
Integers	Prefixed with ‘i:’	`i:42`
Arrays	Prefixed with ‘a:’ followed by item count	`a:2:{i:0;s:3:"foo";i:1;s:3:"bar";}`
Objects	Prefixed with ‘O:’ followed by class name length	`O:8:"stdClass":1:{s:3:"foo";s:3:"bar";}`
Null	Represented as ‘N;’	`N;`
Booleans	Prefixed with ‘b:’	`b:1;` for true, `b:0;` for false

Security Considerations

When working with serialized PHP data, especially from unknown sources, be cautious as deserialized data can potentially contain malicious code. This tool provides a safe way to inspect serialized content without executing any PHP code.

Use Cases for PHP Deserializing

Web Development: Debug session storage issues or cache problems
Security Analysis: Examine suspicious serialized strings for potential PHP object injection vulnerabilities
Data Recovery: Extract information from serialized backup data
Application Debugging: Understand what’s being stored in your application’s serialized data structures

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 FAQ

How do I deserialize PHP data?

You can deserialize PHP data using either PHP's built-in unserialize() function in a PHP environment, or with our online PHP Deserializer tool by simply pasting the serialized string and letting it convert to JSON format automatically.
Is it safe to deserialize unknown PHP data?

Deserializing unknown PHP data can be risky as it may contain malicious code that executes during unserialization. Our browser-based PHP Deserializer tool provides a safer alternative as it converts the data to JSON without executing PHP code.
What's the difference between serialize() and json_encode() in PHP?

While both convert PHP data structures to strings, serialize() preserves PHP-specific data types and object structures, while json_encode() converts to the JSON format compatible with many languages but with more limited type support. Serialized data can only be properly decoded by PHP.
Can I deserialize corrupted PHP data?

Partially corrupted serialized PHP data typically cannot be deserialized correctly. Our tool will attempt to process what it can, but if the serialized structure is broken, you may receive errors or incomplete results.
Can PHP unserialization lead to security vulnerabilities?

Yes, PHP object unserialization can lead to security vulnerabilities like PHP Object Injection if an application deserializes untrusted data. Attackers can craft malicious serialized strings that, when unserialized, may execute arbitrary code. Our tool helps analyze such data safely.