#! /usr/bin/env php <?php eval('?>' . file_get_contents('php://stdin'));
find . -path "*/vendor/phpunit/phpunit/src/Util/PHP/eval-stdin.php"
You should configure your web server to block public access to the entire vendor/ directory. RedirectMatch 404 /\/vendor\/+/ Use code with caution. index of vendor phpunit phpunit src util php evalstdinphp
If you must have it, ensure it is updated to a version where this file has been removed or secured. 2. Move the Vendor Directory
To emphasize the risk, consider a real-world scenario (name changed for privacy). A small e-commerce site running Magento 2 had its vendor folder accidentally committed to the web root via a Git deployment that didn’t exclude the vendor directory. The site had directory listing disabled, but an attacker discovered the direct path to eval-stdin.php by scanning common PHPUnit paths. -path "*/vendor/phpunit/phpunit/src/Util/PHP/eval-stdin
Multiple CVEs and breach reports reference this vulnerability. In 2018, a wave of attacks targeted eval-stdin.php to install backdoors on WordPress sites, Magento stores, and custom PHP applications. Even in 2025, security scanners continue to detect thousands of exposed instances.
Because CVE-2017-9841 is heavily targeted by automated botnets, an exposed file has likely already been targeted. You should conduct a thorough forensic review of your server: Even in 2025
The vendor directory should never be inside your website's document root (e.g., public or www folder). Ensure your web server points directly to a subdirectory that does not contain the vendor folder. Summary of eval-stdin.php Variants
…the immediate red flag is that the vendor folder—which should never be accessible from the web—is publicly exposed. The presence of eval‑stdin.php in that list transforms a misconfiguration into a fully weaponizable vulnerability.