shellcode
A small piece of code, used as the payload of a virus or other malware, that launches a shell so that the attacker can control the compromised computer.
Noun
- A small piece of code, used as the payload of a virus or other malware, that launches a shell so that the attacker can control the compromised computer.
- In ELF executables, there aren't a whole lot of code caves (such as in the PE format), so you are not likely to be able to shove more than just a meager amount of shellcode into existing code slots […] - 2016, Ryan...
Origin
From shell + code.