The eval-stdin.php script allows for executing PHP code that is piped to it via standard input. This functionality can be useful in various scenarios, such as:
This paper examines the security vulnerability associated with the file eval-stdin.php located within the vendor directory of PHPUnit, a widely used testing framework for PHP. While PHPUnit is an essential tool for developers, the presence of this specific utility file in production environments has led to a Critical Remote Code Execution (RCE) vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9841. This document outlines the technical mechanics of the exploit, the conditions required for execution, the scope of impact, and remediation strategies for system administrators and developers. index of vendor phpunit phpunit src util php eval-stdin.php
If you aim to integrate PHPUnit tests programmatically within your application, consider using PHPUnit's API directly. This approach allows for more granular control and avoids spawning external processes. The eval-stdin
use PHPUnit\Framework\TestCase;
use PHPUnit\Runner\Result;
require 'vendor/autoload.php';
// Assuming MyTestClass has a test method testMyMethod
class MyTestClassTest extends TestCase
public function testMyMethod()
// Your test here
$this->assertTrue(true);
// Programmatically running tests
$suite = new \PHPUnit\Framework\StaticTestSuite(MyTestClassTest::class);
$result = new Result();
$runner = new \PHPUnit\Runner\TestRunner($suite, $result);
$runner->run();
index of vendor phpunit phpunit src util php eval-stdin.php If you aim to integrate PHPUnit tests programmatically
Attempting to exploit eval-stdin.php on a website you do not own is illegal (Computer Fraud and Abuse Act in the US, similar laws elsewhere). This article is for defensive education and authorized penetration testing only.
To secure systems against this specific vulnerability and similar directory traversal issues, the following measures must be implemented: