During this period, work focused on enhancing the security of the php/php-src repository by addressing a use-after-free vulnerability in the DOM extension’s custom XPath function. Using C programming and PHP extension development skills, the developer co-authored a patch that improved memory safety and stability in DOM and XPath handling. The technical approach involved careful debugging and targeted code changes to mitigate exploitable conditions, supporting readiness for security reviews. No new features were introduced, as efforts centered on security hardening and reducing vulnerability exposure. This contribution demonstrated a strong understanding of memory management and secure coding practices within PHP internals.