Key Details in a Code Signing Certificate

The information included in a code signing certificate typically consists of the following:

1. Subject Name: This includes the name of the entity or individual specified on the certificate. It may be an individual's name or the name of a company or organization.
2. Subject Alternative Names (SANs): In some cases, the certificate may include multiple subject names (SANs), allowing the certificate to be used for signing code on different domains or platforms.
3. Serial Number: The issuing CA assigns a unique identifier to the certificate.
4. Public Key: The code signing certificate contains a public key that corresponds to the private key used for signing the code. The private key remains with the signer and is used to generate the digital signature.
5. Issuer: Information about the certificate authority that issued the code-signing certificate. This helps verify the certificate's authenticity.
6. Validity Period: The certificate's start and end dates define the period during which the certificate is considered valid for code signing.
7. Thumbprint/Fingerprint: A hash value calculated from the certificate's content, serving as a unique identifier for the certificate.
8. Key Usage: Indicates the purpose for which the public key can be used. For code-signing certificates, this would typically include the "Digital Signature" key usage.
9. Extended Key Usage: A list of specific purposes for which the certificate can be used. For code-signing certificates, this would include "Code Signing".
10. Certificate Revocation Information: Code-signing certificates are subject to revocation if they are compromised or invalidated. The certificate may contain information about how to check for revocation, such as Certificate Revocation Lists (CRLs) or Online Certificate Status Protocol (OCSP) responders.
11. Signature Algorithm: The algorithm used to sign the certificate itself, ensuring its integrity and authenticity.