Unauthorized code execution can affect any organization, regardless of size or vertical, and since it’s often an easy way in—with innocuous macros, PowerShell scripts, apps or containers—malicious actors regularly use it to infiltrate systems, distribute malware, exfiltrate data and wreak general havoc.
How can you combat unauthorized, malicious code? You must establish and maintain a secure code signing trust chain.
What is a code signing trust chain?
The code signing trust chain is a series of fundamental steps that ensure the ongoing authenticity, integrity and policy-controlled execution of software running on a set of systems, regardless of the operating environment.
It’s comprised of four main elements, and it all hinges on a secure code signing operation.
The four pillars of the code signing trust chain
- Authenticity: The origin of all code must be verified and approved, a process which involves digitally signing the code with a private key. This establishes code provenance and lets you easily see whether the code came from a legitimate, authorized source.
- Verification: Once the code has been signed, that digital signature must be verified against a trusted code signing certificate from an approved certificate authority (CA).
- Integrity: Code must remain unmodified and unaltered. Cryptographic hashing can help here, as any change to the code will result in a different hash value, which can alert systems to potential tampering.
- Execution policy control: Strict execution policies dictate which code can run based on factors including signing certificates, code attributes and organizational security parameters. Configured correctly, these policies allow only authorized code to execute, blocking anything that falls outside of the policy guardrails.
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The dangers of any weak links in the trust chain
When all four elements of the code signing trust chain are maintained across your operating environments, they act as a powerful threat deterrent. But any weak or broken links in the chain can expose your organization to an array of cybersecurity risks.
Malware distribution
Malware infiltration can lead to data breaches, system compromise and further attack propagation, and it’s one of the most severe risks of an ineffective trust chain.
Supply chain attacks
By compromising a single point in the software supply chain, attackers can introduce malicious code that flows downstream, affecting widespread systems and users.
Data breaches
An ineffective trust chain can result in data theft, which may expose sensitive information, intellectual property or personal data. These, in turn, can lead to financial losses, legal repercussions and reputational damage.
Privilege escalation
If attackers are able to execute unauthorized code, they may also gain broader access to system resources or sensitive data.
Rootkit installation
Rootkits can remain undetected over long periods, providing persistent, stealthy access to compromised systems.
Man-in-the-middle attacks
Through the interception and alteration of code during transfer, attackers can introduce malicious payloads. These happen less frequently, but are still a significant danger.
Spoofing attacks
Spoofing attacks, where malicious software impersonates a legitimate application, can undermine trust in software systems and act as a precursor to other, more severe exploitation.
Phishing attacks
The impact of phishing may be limited when compared to system-wide attacks, but it can still lead to the theft of sensitive information and credentials.
Code modification attacks
Through the alteration of legitimate code, attackers can create backdoors, disable security features or alter overall functionality.
Reputation-based attacks
Even if an attack doesn’t directly compromise a system, unauthorized code execution can still damage a company’s reputation and have long-term implications for customer trust.
How to establish an ironclad code signing trust chain
By enforcing the four pillars of authenticity, verification, integrity and execution policy control, you can reduce your attack surface—and harden security—against a wide range of cyber threats.
Maintaining the links in your trust chain requires constant vigilance, consistent policy updates and robust security configurations. Venafi’s Stop Unauthorized Code solution was specifically created to do all this and more, helping your team thwart malware and minimize data breaches.
By combining the power of Venafi CodeSign Protect, seamless integrations with existing security vendors and professional services tailored to your unique security needs, you’ll be able to stop unauthorized code. End-to-end. Full stop.
Allowing unauthorized code execution is tantamount to giving cyber attackers a VIP invite to your systems.
By building and maintaining a durable and secure code signing trust chain, you can fortify your defenses against the multitude of risks stemming from your enterprise’s mountains of everyday code.
Learn more about Venafi’s Stop Unauthorized Code solution at the link below—or reach out to us today to start protecting your systems.