CAPEC Details
Name Upload a Web Shell to a Web Server
Likelyhood of attack Typical severity
Low High
Summary By exploiting insufficient permissions, it is possible to upload a web shell to a web server in such a way that it can be executed remotely. This shell can have various capabilities, thereby acting as a "gateway" to the underlying web server. The shell might execute at the higher permission level of the web server, providing the ability the execute malicious code at elevated levels.
Prerequisites The web server is susceptible to one of the various web application exploits that allows for uploading a shell file.
Solutions Make sure your web server is up-to-date with all patches to protect against known vulnerabilities. Ensure that the file permissions in directories on the web server from which files can be execute is set to the "least privilege" settings, and that those directories contents is controlled by an allowlist.
Related Weaknesses
CWE ID Description
CWE-287 Improper Authentication
CWE-553 Command Shell in Externally Accessible Directory
Related CAPECS
CAPEC ID Description
CAPEC-17 An attack of this type exploits a system's configuration that allows an adversary to either directly access an executable file, for example through shell access; or in a possible worst case allows an adversary to upload a file and then execute it. Web servers, ftp servers, and message oriented middleware systems which have many integration points are particularly vulnerable, because both the programmers and the administrators must be in synch regarding the interfaces and the correct privileges for each interface.
Taxonomy: ATTACK
Entry ID Entry Name
1505.003 Server Software Component:Web Shell