awss

.awss — AWS Signer Certificate

Amazon Web Services (AWS) · 2012

Developer
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Category
System Files
MIME Type
application/x-amazon-aws-signer-certificate
First Released
2012
Open Format
No
File Signature
N/A
At a Glance
.awss
AWS Signer Certificate

An .awss file is an AWS digital certificate used to sign and verify code and artifacts within the Amazon Web Services ecosystem.

Reviewed on July 20, 2026
Compression
N/A
Transparency
N/A
Editability
Low
Best for
AWS Code Signing

Key Features

  • Used for digital code signing within AWS.
  • Ensures authenticity and integrity of AWS artifacts.
  • Managed through AWS Certificate Manager and AWS Signer.
  • Facilitates trust and security in cloud deployments.

Best For

  • Establishing trust for code executed on AWS.
  • Ensuring the integrity of deployed applications.
  • Automating security checks for cloud resources.
  • Integrating with AWS CI/CD pipelines.

Less Ideal For

  • General-purpose code signing outside AWS.
  • Storing arbitrary user data.
  • Client-side authentication without AWS integration.
  • Distributing public software libraries.

Common Use Cases

  • Signing Lambda function code before deployment.
  • Signing container images pushed to ECR.
  • Verifying the origin and integrity of software updates.
  • Securing communication and data exchange within AWS.

How to Open It

  1. These files are not typically opened directly by end-users.
  2. They are managed and utilized by AWS services like AWS Signer.
  3. Developers interact with them through the AWS Management Console or AWS CLI.
  4. The signing process is handled by AWS infrastructure when specified.

What is a .awss file?

An .awss file is a digital certificate used by Amazon Web Services (AWS) to digitally sign code and other artifacts. It serves as a trust anchor, allowing AWS services to verify the authenticity and integrity of signed content. These certificates are crucial for ensuring that code deployed in the cloud environment hasn't been tampered with and originates from a trusted source. They are typically managed within the AWS Certificate Manager (ACM) or AWS Signer services.

Programs That Open .awss Files

PlatformProgram
WindowsAWS Management ConsoleFreeOfficial
AWS CLIFreeOfficial
macOSAWS Management ConsoleFreeOfficial
AWS CLIFreeOfficial
LinuxAWS Management ConsoleFreeOfficial
AWS CLIFreeOfficial
Web BrowserAWS Management ConsoleFreeOfficial

Common Problems with .awss Files

⚠️ Signature validation failed during deployment.
Ensure the .awss certificate is correctly associated with the AWS Signer profile and the code artifact is precisely as it was when signed. Verify that the correct signing profile is being used.
⚠️ Cannot find or access the signing certificate.
Check IAM permissions for the user or role attempting to access the certificate. Ensure the certificate is active and properly configured within AWS Certificate Manager or AWS Signer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is AWS Signer?▼

AWS Signer is a fully managed code signing service that automates code signing workflows, making it easy to manage signing keys and enforce code integrity.

Can I open an .awss file with a text editor?▼

No, .awss files are not standard text or typical certificate files you can directly read with a text editor. They are handled by AWS services.

Where are .awss certificates stored?▼

.awss certificates are stored securely within AWS services like AWS Certificate Manager (ACM) or managed as part of an AWS Signer signing profile.

Technical Details

Technically, an .awss file is not a standalone file format in the traditional sense but rather a representation of a signing certificate managed by AWS. It contains cryptographic information like public keys and associated metadata, enabling services like AWS Signer to perform digital signature operations. The signing process binds the identity of the signer to the signed artifact.

Did You Know?

Digital signatures on code are analogous to a physical signature on a document, confirming authenticity.
AWS Signer supports signing various artifact types, including Lambda functions and container images.

Security Information

.awss files represent sensitive cryptographic material. Access to these certificates should be strictly controlled via IAM policies to prevent unauthorized signing of code. Always ensure your signing keys are managed securely within AWS services.