Subvert Trust Controls: Code Signing
- ID
- T1553.002
- Tactics
- TA0112 Defense Impairment
- Sub-technique of
- T1553 Subvert Trust Controls
- Platforms
- macOS, Windows
- Data sources
- Process Creation, Module Load, File Metadata
- Source
- attack.mitre.org
- MITRE last modified
- 12 May 2026
Adversaries may create, acquire, or steal code signing materials to sign their malware or tools. Code signing provides a level of authenticity on a binary from the developer and a guarantee that the binary has not been tampered with. [1] The certificates used during an operation may be created, acquired, or stolen by the adversary. [2] [3] Unlike Invalid Code Signature, this activity will result in a valid signature.
Code signing to verify software on first run can be used on modern Windows and macOS systems. It is not used on Linux due to the decentralized nature of the platform. [1][4]
Code signing certificates may be used to bypass security policies that require signed code to execute on a system.
Detection
- DET0230 Detect Suspicious or Malicious Code Signing Abuse
Data components: Process Creation, Module Load, File Metadata
Groups (28)
- G0012 Darkhotel
- G0021 Molerats
- G0032 Lazarus Group
- G0037 FIN6
- G0039 Suckfly
- G0040 Patchwork
- G0044 Winnti Group
- G0045 menuPass
- G0046 FIN7
- G0049 OilRig
- G0052 CopyKittens
- G0056 PROMETHIUM
- G0065 Leviathan
- G0091 Silence
- G0092 TA505
- G0093 GALLIUM
- G0094 Kimsuky
- G0096 APT41
- G0102 Wizard Spider
- G0129 Mustang Panda
- G1009 Moses Staff
- G1014 LuminousMoth
- G1015 Scattered Spider
- G1031 Saint Bear
- G1034 Daggerfly
- G1051 Medusa Group
- G1054 MirrorFace
- G1056 TeamPCP
Software (57)
- S0091 Epic
- S0144 ChChes
- S0148 RTM
- S0154 Cobalt Strike
- S0163 Janicab
- S0168 Gazer
- S0170 Helminth
- S0187 Daserf
- S0210 Nerex
- S0234 Bandook
- S0262 QuasarRAT
- S0266 TrickBot
- S0284 More_eggs
- S0342 GreyEnergy
- S0372 LockerGoga
- S0377 Ebury
- S0415 BOOSTWRITE
- S0455 Metamorfo
- S0475 BackConfig
- S0491 StrongPity
- S0501 PipeMon
- S0504 Anchor
- S0520 BLINDINGCAN
- S0527 CSPY Downloader
- S0534 Bazar
- S0559 SUNBURST
- S0584 AppleJeus
- S0603 Stuxnet
- S0611 Clop
- S0624 Ecipekac
- S0646 SpicyOmelette
- S0650 QakBot
- S0663 SysUpdate
- S0697 HermeticWiper
- S0698 HermeticWizard
- S1016 MacMa
- S1070 Black Basta
- S1149 CHIMNEYSWEEP
- S1150 ROADSWEEP
- S1151 ZeroCleare
- S1183 StrelaStealer
- S1196 Troll Stealer
- S1197 GoBear
- S1213 Lumma Stealer
- S1226 BOOKWORM
- S1228 PUBLOAD
- S1232 SplatDropper
- S1233 PAKLOG
- S1235 CorKLOG
- S1238 STATICPLUGIN
- S1239 TONESHELL
- S1240 RedLine Stealer
- S9024 SPAWNCHIMERA
- S9052 MiniFast
- S9053 MiniJunk
- S9066 POLLBLEND
- S9067 TWOSTROKE
