shellinaboxd
Serve a web-based terminal emulator
SYNOPSIS
shellinaboxd [options]
PARAMETERS
-t, --title=TITLE
Set the window title.
-s, --service=SERVICE
Specify a service name.
-p, --port=PORT
Specify the port to listen on (default: 4200).
-q, --quiet
Suppress informational messages.
-d, --daemon
Run as a daemon in the background.
-u, --user=USER
Switch to the specified user after binding the port.
-g, --group=GROUP
Switch to the specified group after binding the port.
-c, --cert=FILE
Specify the SSL certificate file.
-b, --background=COLOR
Set the background color.
-f, --foreground=COLOR
Set the foreground color.
-i, --index=FILE
Specify a custom index file.
-r, --disable-copy-paste
Disable copy and paste functionality.
-v, --verbose
Enable verbose output.
-h, --help
Display this help message and exit.
-w, --writable
Make the terminal writable (default: read-only).
-k, --kill-on-disconnect
Kill the process on disconnect.
-o, --disable-ssl
Disable SSL encryption.
-n, --no-close
Do not allow the terminal window to be closed.
-s, --shell=COMMAND
Specify the command to run as the shell (default: /bin/login).
--debug
Enable debug mode.
DESCRIPTION
shellinaboxd is a web-based terminal emulator that allows you to access Linux servers via a web browser. It essentially wraps a command-line interface (typically a shell like bash) and presents it within a web page. This allows for remote access to the server's terminal without requiring dedicated SSH clients.
It's particularly useful when SSH access is restricted, or when accessing servers from devices without SSH capabilities. It creates a simple HTTP server that serves an AJAX-based terminal emulator. The user can then interact with the shell through their browser, sending commands and receiving output just as if they were using a traditional terminal. Shellinaboxd supports various authentication methods and customization options to tailor the user experience.
Note: shellinabox is deprecated and is not actively maintained. Security concerns have also been raised, so evaluate thoroughly before deployment in production environments.
CAVEATS
Shellinabox is considered deprecated and may contain security vulnerabilities. It is recommended to explore alternative solutions such as Guacamole or other actively maintained web-based SSH clients.
SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS
Always ensure proper SSL encryption is enabled when using shellinaboxd in production environments. Avoid using default configurations, particularly for authentication. Be aware of potential vulnerabilities associated with deprecated software. Carefully evaluate the security implications before deploying shellinaboxd, especially if dealing with sensitive data.
ALTERNATIVES
Consider using alternatives such as Apache Guacamole which is actively maintained and offers greater security and feature sets. Other options include Gateone and WebSSH2.
HISTORY
Shellinabox was developed to provide a web-based SSH terminal access method. While it gained popularity for its simplicity, its development has slowed significantly. Other projects which provide a more secure and maintained environment are preferred now.