Windows Code Integrity blocked image/driver loads due to signature level or policy violations

ATT&CK techniques

Persistence → Priv Esc

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
- T1543Create or Modify System Process
Priv Esc
- T1543Create or Modify System Process
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule flags Code Integrity Operational events where a process attempted to load an image or driver that failed signing level requirements or violated the configured code integrity policy. Attackers can use unsigned or improperly signed modules to bypass trust boundaries, making these blocked loads a valuable indicator of attempted persistence or privilege escalation. The detection relies on Windows Code Integrity Operational telemetry, specifically events indicating the load was blocked for signing level and/or policy reasons.

Reporting behind it

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Windows Code Integrity blocked image/driver loads due to signature level or policy violations

Pivot detection · T1543 · 9 related

Changelog

v2

v2
Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
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.

windows-code-integrity-blocked-image-driver-load-due-to-signing-level-or-policy--e4be5675

title: Windows Code Integrity blocked image/driver loads due to signature level or policy violations
id: 11771a1a-cc9b-4f61-a918-1a54d6b89958
status: test
description: This rule flags Code Integrity Operational events where a process attempted to load an image or driver that failed signing level requirements or violated the configured code integrity policy. Attackers can use unsigned or improperly signed modules to bypass trust boundaries, making these blocked loads a valuable indicator of attempted persistence or privilege escalation. The detection relies on Windows Code Integrity Operational telemetry, specifically events indicating the load was blocked for signing level and/or policy reasons.
references:
  - https://twitter.com/wdormann/status/1590434950335320065
  - https://github.com/MicrosoftDocs/windows-itpro-docs/blob/40fe118976734578f83e5e839b9c63ae7a4af82d/windows/security/threat-protection/windows-defender-application-control/event-id-explanations.md#windows-codeintegrity-operational-log
  - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/application-security/application-control/windows-defender-application-control/operations/event-id-explanations
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/builtin/code_integrity/win_codeintegrity_enforced_policy_block.yml
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems), Huntrule Team
date: 2022-11-10
modified: 2023-06-07
tags:
  - attack.persistence
  - attack.privilege-escalation
  - attack.t1543
logsource:
  product: windows
  service: codeintegrity-operational
detection:
  selection:
    EventID: 3077
  condition: selection
falsepositives:
  - Unknown
level: high
license: DRL-1.1
related:
  - id: e4be5675-4a53-426a-8c81-a8bb2387e947
    type: derived

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