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Guide · Open source

How to use webshell: clone the repo and explore the scripts

Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data

tennc/webshell is an MIT-licensed open source collection of webshell scripts written in PHP, ASP, ASPX, JSP, Perl and Python. This guide explains what a webshell is, how to get the repository with the one install command the README gives, and how to approach the files responsibly. It is aimed at security researchers, penetration testers in authorised test environments, and defenders who build detection rules.

webshelltennc/webshell · ★ 10.8k · MIT

Quick start

  1. 1Read the safety notes. Confirm you have permission to test and will work only in an isolated environment. The README prohibits illegal activity.
  2. 2Clone the repository. Run the git clone command from the README to download the collection to your machine.
  3. 3Choose a language folder. Pick the script language that matches the technology you are studying, such as PHP, ASP, JSP or Python.
  4. 4Read the code first. Review the script before running it, since the author does not guarantee the files are free of backdoors.
  5. 5Test in a sandbox. Run samples only in a test environment you control, not on live servers.
  6. 6Compare related projects. Look at the other webshell projects listed in the README to broaden your samples.

What is the tennc/webshell repository?

A webshell is a small script placed on a web server that lets someone run commands or manage files through a browser. The tennc/webshell project is a collection of these scripts in several languages, including asp, aspx, php, jsp, pl and py.

The README describes the collection as intended for testing. It also lists many other webshell projects and website management tools that readers may want to compare.

  • Language: PHP, with scripts in ASP, ASPX, JSP, Perl and Python
  • Licence: MIT
  • Homepage: http://tennc.github.io

How do you get the repository?

The README lists one install step: clone the repository with Git. The README does not list any prerequisites, so it does not say which tools or versions are needed beyond Git itself.

Check the GitHub releases page for downloads the author has published.

git clone https://github.com/tennc/webshell

How do you look through the scripts?

After cloning, the scripts are organised by language. Open the file that matches the server technology you are studying or testing, and read it before running anything. The README does not describe a build step or a single entry point, so treat the folder as a set of standalone sample scripts rather than an application you launch.

Because this is a loose collection, there is no installer, menu or dashboard. Your work is reading code and testing it in an environment you control.

  • Pick the language that matches the target you are studying (for example PHP or JSP).
  • Read the script to see how it handles commands and files.
  • Compare it with the related projects listed in the README.

What should you know about safety and trust?

The author states they do not guarantee that the shells are free of backdoors. Treat every file as untrusted code. Run samples only in an isolated test environment, never on a production or third-party server.

The README says the tools are for testing and prohibits illegal activity. Use the scripts only on systems you own or have written permission to test.

  • Do not run files on servers you do not own or have permission to test.
  • Review code before use, since the author gives no guarantee against backdoors.
  • Keep samples in a sandbox or virtual machine, separate from your main network.

How can defenders use the collection?

The README's stated purpose includes testing, and the project is useful to people who build or tune detection for webshells. Reading how different languages implement the same behaviour can help you write better rules.

The README does not describe any built-in detection feature, so any detection work is your own to build.

  • Study the PHP, ASP, JSP and Python samples to understand common patterns.
  • Use the listed related projects to see more variants.
  • Test your own rules against samples in a controlled setting.

What people use it for

  • A security researcher comparing how PHP and JSP webshells handle file management.
  • A penetration tester who needs sample scripts inside an authorised lab environment.
  • A defender reviewing sample code to tune detection rules for webshells.
  • A student mapping the difference between ASP, ASPX and Perl shell scripts.

Frequently asked questions

Is webshell free to use?

The repository is released under the MIT licence, as stated in the README. Check the licence file in the repository for the full terms before reusing any code.

What are the requirements for tennc/webshell?

The README lists no prerequisites. The only install step it gives is cloning the repository with Git, so you will need Git installed to follow it.

How do I install webshell from GitHub?

Run git clone https://github.com/tennc/webshell in a terminal. The README describes this as the install method and does not list a build step.

Is the webshell collection safe to download?

The author says they do not guarantee that the shells are free of backdoors. Review the code yourself and run it only in an isolated test environment.

What are alternatives to tennc/webshell?

The README's comparable projects include WangYihang/Webshell-Sniper, flozz/p0wny-shell, bartblaze/PHP-backdoors and JohnTroony/php-webshells. Pick one based on the language or purpose you need.

Can I use webshell to access a server I do not own?

No. The README prohibits illegal activity and says the project is for testing only. Only test systems you own or have written permission to assess.

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Our verdict

tennc/webshell suits security researchers, penetration testers working in authorised labs, and defenders who need sample webshell code across several languages. It is a loose set of scripts, not a polished application, and the author does not guarantee they are free of backdoors, so it is a poor fit for beginners or anyone needing a verified-safe download.

Install options & downloads