CyberStack

MITRE ATT&CK / Techniques / T1588.003

Obtain Capabilities: Code Signing Certificates

ID
T1588.003
Tactics
TA0042 Resource Development
Sub-technique of
T1588 Obtain Capabilities
Platforms
PRE
Data sources
Malware Metadata
Source
attack.mitre.org
MITRE last modified
25 Oct 2025

Adversaries may buy and/or steal code signing certificates that can be used during targeting. Code signing is the process of digitally signing executables and scripts to confirm the software author and guarantee that the code has not been altered or corrupted. Code signing provides a level of authenticity for a program from the developer and a guarantee that the program has not been tampered with.[1] Users and/or security tools may trust a signed piece of code more than an unsigned piece of code even if they don't know who issued the certificate or who the author is.

Prior to Code Signing, adversaries may purchase or steal code signing certificates for use in operations. The purchase of code signing certificates may be done using a front organization or using information stolen from a previously compromised entity that allows the adversary to validate to a certificate provider as that entity. Adversaries may also steal code signing materials directly from a compromised third-party.

Detection

Mitigations (1)

M1056 Pre-compromise

This technique cannot be easily mitigated with preventive controls since it is based on behaviors performed outside of the scope of enterprise defenses and controls.

Groups (8)

Software (1)

References

  1. Wikipedia Code Signing