Description

History & Origin

  • First Appearance: Around mid-2016, attributed to the IndoXploit Team from Indonesia.

  • Purpose: Created as an all-in-one PHP management shell to simplify file operations, command execution, and server reconnaissance after compromise.

  • Evolution: Over time, multiple modified versions emerged — some simplified, some obfuscated, some integrated with other shells.

  • Popularity Reason: User-friendly UI, rich features, and lightweight code that works on most PHP hosting environments.

Key Features

  1. File Management

    • Upload, download, edit, rename, delete files directly from the web interface.

    • Supports mass file deletion and permission modification.

  2. Command Execution

    • Run system-level commands via exec() or system() functions.

    • Switch between different PHP execution functions depending on availability.

  3. Database Management

    • Connect to MySQL using built-in client for quick queries.

  4. Server Information

    • Displays PHP version, server OS, safe mode status, and disabled functions.

  5. User-Friendly Interface

    • Simple, responsive HTML/CSS UI for easy navigation.

  6. Authentication

    • Optional password protection to prevent unauthorized access.

  7. Bypass Techniques

    • Can be renamed to .php4, .phtml, etc., to bypass certain upload restrictions (in testing scenarios).

Usage in Penetration Testing

  • Post-Exploitation: After exploiting a file upload or RCE vulnerability, IndoXploit can be deployed to explore the server.

  • Privilege Escalation: Used to search for configuration files, credentials, or sensitive data that can help escalate privileges.

  • Pivoting: Can be a staging point for further lateral movement in a controlled test environment.

  • Incident Simulation: Red teams can simulate an attacker’s persistence to test blue team detection and response.

Example Legal Workflow in a Pentest:

  1. Obtain client permission for a controlled engagement.

  2. Identify upload or injection vulnerability.

  3. Deploy IndoXploit in a sandbox environment.

  4. Demonstrate potential attacker capabilities.

  5. Remove shell, restore environment, and deliver findings in a report.

Detection & Mitigation

Security teams should be aware of IndoXploit’s signature traits:

  • Files named with keywords like indo, xploit, or random alphanumeric strings.

  • HTML interface with a black background and green/yellow text.

  • Code containing eval(base64_decode(...)) patterns.

  • HTTP POST requests containing base64 or serialized payloads.

Mitigation Steps:

  • Disable dangerous PHP functions (exec, shell_exec, system, passthru).

  • Implement strict upload validation.

  • Deploy Web Application Firewalls (WAF) with webshell detection rules.

  • Regularly scan for new/modified files in the web root.

Conclusion

IndoXploit remains one of the most recognizable PHP shells in penetration testing history. While originally intended as a multipurpose post-exploitation tool, its misuse by malicious actors highlights the importance of controlled, authorized, and documented usage.

By studying tools like IndoXploit in a safe environment, penetration testers and defenders alike can improve their understanding of post-exploitation techniques and strengthen server defenses.