How can developers ensure the security of their PHP applications when using eval()?

Using eval() in PHP can introduce security vulnerabilities as it allows for the execution of arbitrary code. To ensure the security of PHP applications when using eval(), developers should avoid using it whenever possible. If eval() must be used, input validation and sanitization should be implemented to prevent malicious code injection.

$unsafe_input = $_POST['input'];

// Validate and sanitize input before using eval()
$safe_input = filter_var($unsafe_input, FILTER_SANITIZE_STRING);

eval($safe_input);