huntrule

Windows ClickOnce Loads Unsigned or Expired Signed Modules from User Apps Path

Alerts when a ClickOnce app loads a module from Apps\2.0 that is unsigned or has an expired signature.

FreeReviewedSigma · Medium · v2
Product
windows
Category
image_load
Author
@SerkinValery (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2023-06-08
Updated
2026-07-31
AnalysisDetection

ATT&CK techniques

Execution → Defense Evasion

  1. Recon

  2. Resource Dev

  3. Initial Access

  4. Execution

  5. Persistence

  6. Priv Esc

  7. Defense Evasion

  8. Cred Access

  9. Discovery

  10. Lateral Movement

  11. Collection

  12. C2

  13. Exfiltration

  14. Impact

What it detects

This rule flags cases where a ClickOnce application loads an image from the user AppData ClickOnce path while the module is unsigned or has an expired signature status. Attackers can abuse ClickOnce-style trusted execution flows to run or persist malicious code while bypassing or degrading signature trust. The detection relies on image load telemetry, including the loaded path and signature status fields indicating Signed=false or SignatureStatus=Expired.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1574.001 — drag to rearrange
DLL Side-Loading via Signed Binary Loading Known Malicious Helper DLL
Suspicious DLL Sideloading via msdtc oci.dll Install (via process_creation)
Suspicious wmicodegen.dll Sideload by inetinfo.exe (UAT-8099 Cobalt Strike)
Suspicious LucidRook DismCore.dll Side-Load into Browser Process
Suspicious Encrypted Implant File Creation for DLL Search Order Hijacking (RainyDay Turian PlugX)
Suspicious RoboForm Signed Binary Executed From Non-Standard Path (via process_creation)
Malicious dal_keepalives.dll Sideloaded By Signed Binary (via image_load)
Suspicious Cortex XDR Binary Sideloading winutils.dll (via image_load)
Suspicious CoinLoader DLL Sideload From Z-1-36-81 Directory (via image_load)
Windows ClickOnce Loads Unsigned or Expired Signed Modules from User Apps Path
Pivot detection · T1574.001 · 9 related

Changelog

v2
  1. v2
    Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
  2. v1
    No changelog recorded for this version.2026-07-30

Detection content is published as a reviewed draft. Tune thresholds and exclusions against your own telemetry before enabling this rule for alerting.