webshell
A collection of webshell scripts in various languages for security testing and research purposes.
What is webshell?
webshell is an open-source collection of webshell scripts written in various server-side languages like PHP, ASP, JSP, and Python. It provides security researchers and penetration testers with a repository of samples to study webshell functionality, detection evasion techniques, and server compromise methods. The project emphasizes ethical use for authorized security testing and research purposes only.
Security researchers, penetration testers, red teamers, and cybersecurity professionals who need webshell samples for defensive research, detection engineering, or authorized security assessments.
It offers a centralized, community-maintained collection of webshells across multiple languages, saving researchers time from scouring disparate sources. The project's clear ethical guidelines and warnings about potential backdoors help users approach the material responsibly for legitimate security work.
Overview
This is a webshell open source project
Use Cases
Best For
- Studying webshell code patterns for detection rule development
- Testing web application firewalls (WAFs) and security monitoring tools
- Red team exercises requiring webshell deployment in authorized environments
- Academic research on server-side malware and compromise techniques
- Comparing webshell functionality across different scripting languages
- Building defensive security training materials for blue teams
Not Ideal For
- Web developers seeking clean, production-ready code examples for learning
- Organizations without legal authorization for penetration testing activities
- Security beginners lacking guidance to safely handle potentially malicious scripts
- Projects requiring guaranteed safe, vetted software for immediate deployment
Pros & Cons
Pros
Includes webshells across six server-side languages like ASP, PHP, JSP, and Python, offering a broad resource for cross-platform security research.
Encourages user submissions while preserving original names and passwords, fostering a continuously expanding collection of samples.
Explicitly warns users to verify scripts for backdoors and restricts use to authorized testing, promoting responsible security practices.
Provides links to complementary projects like webshell-venom and management tools, integrating into broader penetration testing workflows.
Cons
The README admits that shells may contain backdoors, requiring manual verification which is error-prone and poses security threats.
As a community collection, there's no systematic vetting process, leading to inconsistent code quality and potential outdated samples.
The project is primarily an archive without active generation, so it may miss the latest evasion techniques or regular updates for new threats.
Frequently Asked Questions
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