CAPEC-650: Upload a Web Shell to a Web Server (Version 3.9)
Archived: 2026-04-05 16:37:38 UTC
 Description
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.
 Typical Severity
 Relationships
This table shows the other attack patterns and high level categories that are related to this attack pattern. These
relationships are defined as ChildOf and ParentOf, and give insight to similar items that may exist at higher and lower levels
of abstraction. In addition, relationships such as CanFollow, PeerOf, and CanAlsoBe are defined to show similar attack
patterns that the user may want to explore.
Nature Type
ChildOf Standard Attack Pattern - A standard level attack pattern in CAPEC is focused on a specific methodology or technique used in an attack. It
This table shows the views that this attack pattern belongs to and top level categories within that view.
 Prerequisites
The web server is susceptible to one of the various web application exploits that allows for uploading a shell file.
 Consequences
This table specifies different individual consequences associated with the attack pattern. The Scope identifies the security
property that is violated, while the Impact describes the negative technical impact that arises if an adversary succeeds in
their attack. The Likelihood provides information about how likely the specific consequence is expected to be seen relative
to the other consequences in the list. For example, there may be high likelihood that a pattern will be used to achieve a
certain impact, but a low likelihood that it will be exploited to achieve a different impact.
Scope Impact Likelihood
Confidentiality Read Data
Confidentiality
Access Control
Authorization
Gain Privileges
Confidentiality
Integrity
Availability
Execute Unauthorized Commands
 Mitigations
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.
 Taxonomy Mappings
https://capec.mitre.org/data/definitions/650.html
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CAPEC mappings to ATT&CK techniques leverage an inheritance model to streamline and minimize direct
CAPEC/ATT&CK mappings. Inheritance of a mapping is indicated by text stating that the parent CAPEC has relevant
ATT&CK mappings. Note that the ATT&CK Enterprise Framework does not use an inheritance model as part of the
mapping to CAPEC.
Relevant to the ATT&CK taxonomy mapping (also see parent)
Entry ID Entry Name
1505.003 Server Software Component:Web Shell
 Content History
Submissions
Submission Date Submitter Organization
2018-05-31
(Version 2.11)
CAPEC Content Team The MITRE Corporation
Modifications
Modification Date Modifier Organization
2019-04-04
(Version 3.1)
CAPEC Content Team The MITRE Corporation
Updated Related_Weaknesses
2020-07-30
(Version 3.3)
CAPEC Content Team The MITRE Corporation
Updated Mitigations, Taxonomy_Mappings
2020-12-17
(Version 3.4)
CAPEC Content Team The MITRE Corporation
Updated Mitigations
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Source: https://capec.mitre.org/data/definitions/650.html
https://capec.mitre.org/data/definitions/650.html
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