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DIGSIG_E_DECODE
DIGSIG_E_DECODE concerns ASN.1 parsing of signature data. The signature component could not decode the CMS, certificate, algorithm, attribute, or extension structure needed for verification.
Start with the returning API
The failure occurs while turning signature bytes into ASN.1 objects needed by the digital-signature layer. Preserve the original binary data, outer content type, DER or BER expectations, total length, and the first nested object the caller expected.
Diagnostic evidence matrix
- 1. Unaltered signature or CMS bytes and transport decoding steps
Preserve the original binary object and distinguish DER/BER bytes from PEM or base64 wrappers. - 2. Outer tag, content type OID, signer count, and algorithm identifiers
Locate the first failing ASN.1 offset with an independent decoder. - 3. Independent decoder result and the first offset or field where structure diverges
Check whether the declared container type matches the actual signed object.
For ASN.1 parsing of signature data, these observations are deliberately nonsecret: identifiers, lengths, provider names, policy selections, and state transitions usually support comparison without recording private keys, passwords, PINs, or plaintext.
Preserve the evidence chain
Record the transition from application objects to ASN.1 bytes and then to cryptographic execution. The first failing stage determines whether to inspect field placement, encoder input, decoder bytes, algorithm parameters, or private-key access. A final “signature invalid” message cannot recover that boundary after intermediate statuses are discarded.
- Minimal object model and encoded bytes with the first optional field that changes the result.
- Digest and signature algorithms, key provider, and lower-level provider status where applicable.
- Independent ASN.1 and signature observations using the exact original bytes.
Minimal test sequence
Decode a known-good signature produced by the same workflow, then decode the failing bytes without attempting trust validation in an ASN.1 parsing of signature data investigation. This keeps syntax and object selection separate from certificate-chain policy.
| Test | Interpretation |
|---|---|
| Same input, known-good path | For ASN.1 parsing of signature data, success moves attention toward the selected provider, policy, device, context, or transaction state. |
| Known-good input, failing path | For ASN.1 parsing of signature data, failure suggests that the environment or selected object is independently unable to perform the operation. |
| Original path after one isolated change | For ASN.1 parsing of signature data, this comparison demonstrates whether the proposed correction addresses the original condition. |
Scope of this HRESULT
A decoding failure occurs before a mathematical signature verdict can be trusted. Importing certificates cannot repair malformed ASN.1, and re-encoding unknown bytes can remove evidence of the producer defect.
For ASN.1 parsing of signature data, keep representation, cryptographic execution, and trust evaluation separate.
Closure criteria
The original bytes must decode into the expected object model before signature and trust checks are considered.
Technical references
These sources define the HRESULT and the relevant ASN.1 parsing of signature data interface, protocol, or data format.
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