Sigma Rule Library

Potential PHP Reverse Shell

Detects usage of the PHP CLI with the "-r" flag which allows it to run inline PHP code. The rule looks for calls to the "fsockopen" function which allows the creation of sockets. Attackers often leverage this in combination with functions such as "exec" or "fopen" to initiate a reverse shell connection.

View on GitHubOpen raw file

Detection logic

selection

Image|contains: /php
CommandLine|contains|all:
  - " -r "
  - fsockopen
CommandLine|contains:
  - ash
  - bash
  - bsh
  - csh
  - ksh
  - pdksh
  - sh
  - tcsh
  - zsh

Condition

selection

Raw YAML

title: Potential PHP Reverse Shell
id: c6714a24-d7d5-4283-a36b-3ffd091d5f7e
status: test
description: |
    Detects usage of the PHP CLI with the "-r" flag which allows it to run inline PHP code. The rule looks for calls to the "fsockopen" function which allows the creation of sockets.
    Attackers often leverage this in combination with functions such as "exec" or "fopen" to initiate a reverse shell connection.
references:
    - https://pentestmonkey.net/cheat-sheet/shells/reverse-shell-cheat-sheet
    - https://www.revshells.com/
author: '@d4ns4n_'
date: 2023-04-07
tags:
    - attack.execution
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: linux
detection:
    selection:
        Image|contains: '/php'
        CommandLine|contains|all:
            - ' -r '
            - 'fsockopen'
        CommandLine|contains:
            - 'ash'
            - 'bash'
            - 'bsh'
            - 'csh'
            - 'ksh'
            - 'pdksh'
            - 'sh'
            - 'tcsh'
            - 'zsh'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: high

False positives

  • Unknown

References

Similar rules