There are few tools in the offensive security world as iconic and effective as the PHP Reverse Shell by Pentestmonkey.
This simple, elegant script has stood the test of time — it’s been around since 2007, yet it remains incredibly relevant and useful in real-world penetration testing and CTFs alike.
If you’ve ever compromised a vulnerable web app and needed that first foothold, chances are you’ve turned to this exact file.
🔥 Why It’s So Damn Good
- Minimal dependencies
- Works with most default PHP configurations
- Clear documentation in the source
- Easy to customize
- Still works beautifully in 2025
Huge respect to Pentestmonkey — pentestmonkey.net — for sharing this script with the community. It’s pure gold.
📜 Source Code (Original Version)
```php <?php // php-reverse-shell - A Reverse Shell implementation in PHP // Copyright (C) 2007 pentestmonkey@pentestmonkey.net // … // [Truncated for brevity in the blog view; include full code or link to raw file] ?>
🧠 Final Thoughts
This webshell is a great reminder that the simplest tools often stand the test of time.
Don’t reinvent the wheel when you’re one line away from shell access.
Stay sharp, stay ethical.