MITRE ATT&CK / Techniques / T1553.002

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

Groups (28)

Software (57)

References

  1. Wikipedia Code Signing
  2. Securelist Digital Certificates
  3. Symantec Digital Certificates
  4. EclecticLightChecksonEXECodeSigning