Open-Source Security · NHAS

reverse_ssh

Reverse SSH is a Go-based tool that enables SSH-based reverse shells, allowing operators to manage compromised systems through a central server using native SSH commands. It supports file transfer, port forwarding, and multiple transport protocols.

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Source: GitHub — github.com/NHAS/reverse_ssh

1.4k

GitHub stars

181

Forks

Primary language

BSD-3-Clause

License (OSI-approved)

Key facts

Objective fields from the source. Values we can't verify are shown as “Unknown” rather than guessed.

Field	Value
Repository	NHAS/reverse_ssh
Owner	NHAS
Primary language	Go
License	BSD-3-Clause — OSI-approved
Stars	1.4k
Forks	181
Open issues	5
Latest release	v2.7.0 (2026-04-27)
Last updated	2026-06-17
Source	https://github.com/NHAS/reverse_ssh

What reverse_ssh is

RSSH implements a reverse shell architecture where clients initiate outbound connections to a central server, exposing remote shells and resources via SSH protocol. The server provides SCP/SFTP implementations, supports HTTP/WebSocket/TLS transports, and includes Windows shell support with DLL generation capabilities.

Quickstart

Get the reverse_ssh source

Clone the repository and explore it locally.

terminalbash

1git clone https://github.com/NHAS/reverse_ssh.git2cd reverse_ssh3# follow the project's README for install & configuration

Need it deployed, integrated, or customized instead? DEV.co ships production installs.

Best use cases

Penetration Testing & Red Team Operations

Manage post-exploitation access across multiple targets using familiar SSH syntax, reducing operational friction and tool complexity during assessments.

Secure Remote Access for Locked-Down Networks

Establish reverse tunnels through firewalls and proxies via HTTP/WebSocket transports when direct SSH inbound is blocked, maintaining control channel integrity.

Cross-Platform Target Management

Unified console for Linux and Windows targets with native shell support, file transfer (SCP/SFTP), and port forwarding from a single control server.

Implementation considerations

Docker deployment recommended per README; requires Go cross-compiler setup for multi-platform builds. Manual binary compilation increases operational friction.
Server requires baked-in SSH key material (`SEED_AUTHORIZED_KEYS`) and persistent `/data` volume for client authorization tracking and privilege management.
Windows client deployment relies on unsigned binary execution or DLL injection; test thoroughly in target security posture before engagement.
Protocol authentication is mutual (client & server) but cryptographic strength and implementation details not documented; requires code review.
Privilege model is basic (admin vs. user vs. public clients); no role-based access control, audit logging, or session timeouts mentioned.

When to avoid it — and what to weigh

Require Production Enterprise Support — Project is community-maintained with no commercial support tier, SLAs, or guaranteed response times. Unknown security update cadence for critical vulnerabilities.
Need Compliance-Ready Audit Trails — No mention of comprehensive logging, session recording, or immutable audit compliance features required for regulated environments (SOC2, HIPAA, PCI-DSS).
Seeking Long-Term Stability Guarantees — Project maturity is moderate (5+ years old, 1.3k stars). Breaking changes in protocol/configuration possible between major versions without deprecation warnings.
Cannot Accept OSI-Licensed Open Source — BSD-3-Clause is permissive but requires retention of copyright/license in distributions. Verify internal policy permits use of BSD-3-Clause software.

License & commercial use

BSD-3-Clause (OSI-approved, permissive). Allows commercial use, modification, and redistribution with retention of copyright/license notice and no warranty. No patent clause. Suitable for most organizational policies but requires explicit approval if license text must be included in proprietary distributions.

BSD-3-Clause explicitly permits commercial use without royalties or restrictions. However, no commercial support entity, warranty, or indemnification is provided. Use in commercial offerings is at licensee's sole risk. Verify internal legal/compliance policy permits BSD-3-Clause dependencies in products.

DEV.co evaluation signals

Editorial assessment — not user reviews. Directional, with an explicit confidence level.

Signal	Assessment
Maintenance	Active
Documentation	Adequate
License clarity	Clear
Deployment complexity	Moderate
DEV.co fit	Good
Assessment confidence	High

Security considerations

Reverse SSH is designed for adversarial environments (red team, pentest) and implements mutual authentication. However: (1) cryptographic algorithm selection and key derivation strength are undocumented; (2) transport security for HTTP/WebSocket transports not detailed; (3) no disclosure of known vulnerabilities, CVEs, or security audit history; (4) fileless execution and DLL injection features expand attack surface; (5) privilege model lacks session isolation; (6) webhook functionality may introduce unintended data exfiltration if misconfigured; (7) code inspection required to assess input validation, memory safety (Go provides some guarantees), and side-channel resistance. Use in high-assurance contexts requires independent security assessment.

Alternatives to consider

Sliver / Mythic C2

Purpose-built command-and-control frameworks with more mature operational security features, session recording, and active commercial backing. Steeper learning curve.

Metasploit Meterpreter / Reverse HTTPS

Established reverse shell transport with larger community, extensive payload libraries, and integration with penetration testing workflows. Less SSH-native, more complex infrastructure.

SSH Direct (openssh with `-R` / ProxyJump)

Native SSH reverse tunneling avoids custom tooling and dependencies. Limited to SSH protocol only; requires ssh access to initiator. No centralized console.

Software development agency

Build on reverse_ssh with DEV.co software developers

Download the Docker image or build from source to run a proof-of-concept. Review the codebase for cryptographic and input-validation requirements. Schedule a security assessment before production use.

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reverse_ssh FAQ

Can I use RSSH in a production environment?

RSSH is designed for offensive/red-team use. Production use is not recommended due to lack of enterprise support, audit logging, and stability guarantees. Consider C2 frameworks (Sliver, Mythic) for persistent infrastructure.

How is the reverse connection secured?

README states mutual client & server authentication; cryptographic algorithm and key management details are not documented. Code review required to assess cryptographic strength and implementation correctness.

What happens if the server is compromised?

Not addressed in documentation. Assume all connected clients are exposed. Implement defense-in-depth: air-gapped server, firewall rules, endpoint detection, and regular security assessments.

Is there a Windows antivirus evasion mechanism?

README mentions garble obfuscation (optional), DLL generation, and fileless execution support. Effectiveness varies by AV vendor and detection method. No guarantees provided.

Software developers & web developers for hire

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