Suspicious Unsigned Module Loaded by ClickOnce Application (via image_load)

title: Suspicious Unsigned Module Loaded by ClickOnce Application (via image_load)
id: 5d3c752e-d4b9-5e28-8d6e-91773822ea30
status: stable
description: This rule detects unsigned module load by ClickOnce application.
references:
    - https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1574/001/
    - https://posts.specterops.io/less-smartscreen-more-caffeine-ab-using-clickonce-for-trusted-code-execution-1446ea8051c5
author: 'Huntrule Team'
date: 2026-04-06
tags:
    - attack.privilege-escalation
    - attack.persistence
    - attack.execution
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1574.001
logsource:
    category: image_load
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_path:
        Image|contains: '\AppData\Local\Apps\2.0\'
    selection_sig_status:
        - Signed: 'false'
        - SignatureStatus: 'Expired'
    condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: medium