The China Chopper Web Shell is a known malicious payload used to establish unauthorized access (backdoor) to both Windows and Linux servers. It is characterized by its lightweight nature, as it operates without requiring file transfers due to its simplistic text-based format. The shell allows attackers to execute commands on the victim machine, often featuring functionalities such as file management, database manipulation, and remote terminal access. The tool is associated with several threat actor groups including APT15, APT27, and APT41, indicating its prominence in cyber espionage and other malicious activities. Detection of the China Chopper can be performed through the analysis of web application firewall (WAF) logs, focusing on POST requests that reveal the shell’s patterns and behaviors, especially those attempting to exploit PHP and ASPX scripting languages. Effective monitoring and response mechanisms are essential to mitigate risks posed by this type of attack, especially in web applications vulnerable to such web shells.