title: Invalid Code Signature (T1036.001)
id: df00tech-t1036-001
status: experimental
description: "Adversaries may attempt to mimic features of valid code signatures to increase the chance of deceiving a user, analyst, or tool. Code signing provides a level of authenticity on a binary from the developer and a guarantee that the binary has not been tampered with. Adversaries can copy the metadata and signature information from a signed program, then use it as a template for an unsigned program. Files with invalid code signatures will fail digital signature validation checks, but they may appear more legitimate to users and security tools may improperly handle these files. Unlike Code Signing (T1553.002), this activity will not result in a valid signature."
references:
  - https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1036/001/
  - https://df00tech.com/detections/T1036.001
author: df00tech
date: 2026/04/16
tags:
  - attack.t1036.001
# NOTE: logsource is auto-derived and may need adjustment for your environment
logsource:
  category: process_creation
  product: windows
detection:
  # This detection logic could not be auto-translated; see the KQL/SPL query on df00tech.
  selection:
    EventID: '*'
  condition: selection
falsepositives:
  - Expired certificates on legitimate but outdated software that has not been updated
  - Self-signed certificates used by internal development or testing tools
  - Legitimate software with misconfigured or incomplete signing (common in some open-source tools)
  - Revoked certificates that were legitimately used before revocation and may still be in software repos
level: medium