diff --git a/config.ini.example b/config.ini.example
index b9d3228..a0bfb46 100644
--- a/config.ini.example
+++ b/config.ini.example
@@ -1493,6 +1493,14 @@ raw_duplicate_window = 2.0
 # Keep RX_LOG SNR/RSSI keyed by packet prefix this long for RAW_DATA correlation (seconds).
 rf_data_cache_timeout = 15.0
 
+# If true, do not publish packet JSON to MQTT when content hash is 0000000000000000
+# (strict path_len reject, too-short buffer, or other unparseable cases). File output is unchanged.
+mqtt_skip_unparseable_packets = true
+
+# If true, do not publish ADVERT packets to MQTT when mesh payload fails Ed25519 verification
+# (MeshCore createAdvert signature over pubkey || timestamp || app_data). File output is unchanged.
+advert_require_valid_signature = false
+
 # Owner information (for packet analyzer registration)
 # Owner public key (64-character hex string)
 owner_public_key = 
diff --git a/docs/packet-capture.md b/docs/packet-capture.md
index be1f91f..a88d17f 100644
--- a/docs/packet-capture.md
+++ b/docs/packet-capture.md
@@ -45,6 +45,11 @@ enabled = true                    # Enable packet capture
 output_file = packets.json        # Optional: save to file
 verbose = false                   # Detailed packet logging
 debug = false                     # Debug mode
+mqtt_skip_unparseable_packets = true   # Skip MQTT when content hash is all zeros (strict path reject / short buffer)
+
+# Optional: skip MQTT for ADVERT packets whose Ed25519 signature does not verify (damaged or spoofed mesh payload).
+# Does not affect file/JSONL capture.
+advert_require_valid_signature = false
 ```
 
 ### Authentication
diff --git a/modules/message_handler.py b/modules/message_handler.py
index 880ea98..72021ba 100644
--- a/modules/message_handler.py
+++ b/modules/message_handler.py
@@ -1350,7 +1350,13 @@ class MessageHandler:
             path_len_byte = byte_data[offset]
             offset += 1
             # Decode per firmware: low 6 bits = hop count, high 2 bits = size code (bytes_per_hop = code+1)
-            path_byte_length, bytes_per_hop = decode_path_len_byte(path_len_byte)
+            path_parts = decode_path_len_byte(path_len_byte)
+            if path_parts is None:
+                self.logger.debug(
+                    "decode_meshcore_packet: invalid path_len byte (firmware would reject)"
+                )
+                return None
+            path_byte_length, bytes_per_hop = path_parts
 
             # Check if we have enough data for the full path
             if len(byte_data) < offset + path_byte_length:
@@ -1375,7 +1381,7 @@ class MessageHandler:
             # Extract payload type (bits 2-5)
             payload_type = PayloadType((header >> 2) & 0x0F)
 
-            # Chunk path by bytes_per_hop from packet (1, 2, or 3; legacy fallback uses 1)
+            # Chunk path by bytes_per_hop from packet (1, 2, or 3)
             path_hex, path_values = self._path_bytes_to_nodes(path_bytes, prefix_hex_chars=bytes_per_hop * 2)
 
             # Process path based on packet type
diff --git a/modules/service_plugins/map_uploader_service.py b/modules/service_plugins/map_uploader_service.py
index a5d78d1..9eb1e65 100644
--- a/modules/service_plugins/map_uploader_service.py
+++ b/modules/service_plugins/map_uploader_service.py
@@ -529,7 +529,10 @@ class MapUploaderService(BaseServicePlugin):
 
             path_len_byte = byte_data[offset]
             offset += 1
-            path_byte_length, _ = decode_path_len_byte(path_len_byte)
+            path_parts = decode_path_len_byte(path_len_byte)
+            if path_parts is None:
+                return
+            path_byte_length, _ = path_parts
 
             # Skip path
             if path_byte_length > 0 and len(byte_data) > offset + path_byte_length:
diff --git a/modules/service_plugins/packet_capture_service.py b/modules/service_plugins/packet_capture_service.py
index 60a302a..c95496a 100644
--- a/modules/service_plugins/packet_capture_service.py
+++ b/modules/service_plugins/packet_capture_service.py
@@ -21,7 +21,12 @@ from meshcore import EventType
 from ..enums import PayloadType, PayloadVersion, RouteType
 
 # Import bot's utilities for packet hash
-from ..utils import calculate_packet_hash, decode_path_len_byte, parse_trace_payload_route_hashes
+from ..utils import (
+    calculate_packet_hash,
+    decode_path_len_byte,
+    parse_trace_payload_route_hashes,
+    verify_meshcore_advert_ed25519,
+)
 from ..version_info import resolve_runtime_version
 
 # Import MQTT client
@@ -210,6 +215,16 @@ class PacketCaptureService(BaseServicePlugin):
             'PacketCapture', 'rf_data_cache_timeout', fallback=15.0
         )
 
+        # Do not publish to MQTT when content hash is unknown (zeros) — unparseable / strict path reject
+        self.mqtt_skip_unparseable_packets = config.getboolean(
+            'PacketCapture', 'mqtt_skip_unparseable_packets', fallback=True
+        )
+
+        # Skip MQTT for ADVERT packets that fail Ed25519 verify (mesh payload corruption)
+        self.advert_require_valid_signature = config.getboolean(
+            'PacketCapture', 'advert_require_valid_signature', fallback=False
+        )
+
         # Note: Python signing can fetch private key from device if not provided via file
         # The create_auth_token_async function will automatically try to export the key
         # from the device if private_key_hex is None and meshcore_instance is available
@@ -807,6 +822,22 @@ class PacketCaptureService(BaseServicePlugin):
             # Format packet data to match original script's format
             formatted_packet = self._format_packet_data(raw_hex, packet_info, payload, metadata)
 
+            skip_mqtt_unparseable = (
+                self.mqtt_skip_unparseable_packets
+                and formatted_packet.get('hash') == '0000000000000000'
+            )
+
+            skip_mqtt_invalid_advert_signature = False
+            if self.advert_require_valid_signature and packet_info.get('payload_type') == PayloadType.ADVERT.name:
+                try:
+                    mesh_payload = bytes.fromhex(packet_info.get('payload_hex', ''))
+                    if not verify_meshcore_advert_ed25519(mesh_payload):
+                        skip_mqtt_invalid_advert_signature = True
+                except Exception:
+                    skip_mqtt_invalid_advert_signature = True
+
+            skip_mqtt = skip_mqtt_unparseable or skip_mqtt_invalid_advert_signature
+
             # Write to file
             if self.output_handle:
                 self.output_handle.write(json.dumps(formatted_packet, default=str) + '\n')
@@ -814,14 +845,32 @@ class PacketCaptureService(BaseServicePlugin):
 
             # Publish to MQTT if enabled
             # The publish function will check per-broker connection status
-            publish_metrics = {"attempted": 0, "succeeded": 0}
-            if self.mqtt_enabled:
+            publish_metrics: dict[str, Any] = {
+                "attempted": 0,
+                "succeeded": 0,
+                "skipped_by_filter": False,
+                "skipped_unparseable": False,
+                "skipped_invalid_advert_signature": False,
+            }
+            if self.mqtt_enabled and not skip_mqtt:
                 if self.debug:
                     self.logger.debug(f"Calling publish_packet_mqtt for packet {self.packet_count}")
                 publish_metrics = await self.publish_packet_mqtt(formatted_packet)
+                publish_metrics.setdefault("skipped_unparseable", False)
+                publish_metrics.setdefault("skipped_invalid_advert_signature", False)
+            elif self.mqtt_enabled and skip_mqtt:
+                publish_metrics["skipped_unparseable"] = skip_mqtt_unparseable
+                publish_metrics["skipped_invalid_advert_signature"] = skip_mqtt_invalid_advert_signature
 
             # Log DEBUG level for each packet (verbose; use INFO only for service lifecycle)
-            action = "Skipping" if publish_metrics.get("skipped_by_filter") else "Captured"
+            if publish_metrics.get("skipped_unparseable"):
+                action = "Captured (MQTT skipped: zero hash / unparseable)"
+            elif publish_metrics.get("skipped_invalid_advert_signature"):
+                action = "Captured (MQTT skipped: invalid advert signature)"
+            elif publish_metrics.get("skipped_by_filter"):
+                action = "Skipping"
+            else:
+                action = "Captured"
             self.logger.debug(f"📦 {action} packet #{self.packet_count}: {formatted_packet['route']} type {formatted_packet['packet_type']}, {formatted_packet['len']} bytes, SNR: {formatted_packet['SNR']}, RSSI: {formatted_packet['RSSI']}, hash: {formatted_packet['hash']} (MQTT: {publish_metrics['succeeded']}/{publish_metrics['attempted']})")
 
             # Output full packet data structure in debug mode only (matches original script)
@@ -879,7 +928,14 @@ class PacketCaptureService(BaseServicePlugin):
 
             path_len_byte = byte_data[offset]
             offset += 1
-            path_byte_length, bytes_per_hop = decode_path_len_byte(path_len_byte)
+            path_parts = decode_path_len_byte(path_len_byte)
+            if path_parts is None:
+                if self.debug:
+                    self.logger.debug(
+                        "Packet invalid path_len encoding (not firmware-valid), cannot decode"
+                    )
+                return None
+            path_byte_length, bytes_per_hop = path_parts
 
             if len(byte_data) < offset + path_byte_length:
                 if self.debug:
@@ -890,7 +946,7 @@ class PacketCaptureService(BaseServicePlugin):
             path_bytes = byte_data[offset:offset + path_byte_length]
             offset += path_byte_length
 
-            # Chunk path by bytes_per_hop from packet (1, 2, or 3; legacy fallback uses 1)
+            # Chunk path by bytes_per_hop from packet (1, 2, or 3); odd remainder → 1-byte chunks
             hex_chars = bytes_per_hop * 2
             path_hex = path_bytes.hex()
             path_nodes = [path_hex[i:i + hex_chars].upper() for i in range(0, len(path_hex), hex_chars)]
diff --git a/modules/utils.py b/modules/utils.py
index 3584e56..8f5c2bf 100644
--- a/modules/utils.py
+++ b/modules/utils.py
@@ -389,30 +389,29 @@ def get_major_city_queries(city: str, state_abbr: Optional[str] = None) -> list[
     return []
 
 
-def decode_path_len_byte(path_len_byte: int, max_path_size: int = 64) -> tuple:
-    """Decode the RF packet path_len byte per firmware (Packet.cpp).
+def decode_path_len_byte(path_len_byte: int, max_path_size: int = 64) -> tuple[int, int] | None:
+    """Decode the RF packet path_len byte per firmware ``Packet::isValidPathLen``.
 
     Encoding: low 6 bits = hop count, high 2 bits = size code.
-    bytes_per_hop = (path_len >> 6) + 1 → 1, 2, 3, or 4 (4 is reserved and invalid).
+    ``bytes_per_hop = (path_len >> 6) + 1`` → 1, 2, 3, or 4 (4 is reserved and invalid).
 
     Args:
         path_len_byte: The single path_len byte from the packet.
-        max_path_size: Max path bytes (default 64, matches MAX_PATH_SIZE).
+        max_path_size: Max path bytes (default 64, matches ``MAX_PATH_SIZE``).
 
     Returns:
-        Tuple of (path_byte_length, bytes_per_hop). If encoding is invalid
-        (hash_size==4 or hop_count*bytes_per_hop > max_path_size), returns
-        (path_len_byte, 1) for legacy: path_len is raw byte count, 1 byte per hop.
+        ``(path_byte_length, bytes_per_hop)`` if the encoding is valid on the wire.
+        ``None`` if reserved size class (4) or ``hop_count * bytes_per_hop > max_path_size``
+        — matching MeshCore where ``readFrom`` rejects the packet (no legacy reinterpretation).
     """
     hop_count = path_len_byte & 63
     size_code = path_len_byte >> 6
     bytes_per_hop = size_code + 1  # 1, 2, 3, or 4
     if bytes_per_hop == 4:
-        # Reserved in firmware, invalid
-        return (path_len_byte, 1)
+        return None
     path_byte_length = hop_count * bytes_per_hop
     if path_byte_length > max_path_size:
-        return (path_len_byte, 1)
+        return None
     return (path_byte_length, bytes_per_hop)
 
 
@@ -505,7 +504,10 @@ def calculate_packet_hash(raw_hex: str, payload_type: Optional[int] = None) -> s
 
         path_len_byte = byte_data[offset]
         offset += 1
-        path_byte_length, _ = decode_path_len_byte(path_len_byte)
+        path_parts = decode_path_len_byte(path_len_byte)
+        if path_parts is None:
+            return "0000000000000000"
+        path_byte_length, _ = path_parts
 
         # Validate we have enough bytes for the path
         if len(byte_data) < offset + path_byte_length:
@@ -541,6 +543,26 @@ def calculate_packet_hash(raw_hex: str, payload_type: Optional[int] = None) -> s
         return "0000000000000000"
 
 
+def verify_meshcore_advert_ed25519(mesh_payload: bytes) -> bool:
+    """Verify MeshCore ADVERT Ed25519 signature (layout from ``Mesh::createAdvert``).
+
+    Signed message is ``pub_key (32) + timestamp (4, LE) + app_data``; signature is
+    ``payload[36:100]`` (64 bytes); ``app_data`` starts at byte 100.
+    """
+    if len(mesh_payload) < 100:
+        return False
+    try:
+        from cryptography.hazmat.primitives.asymmetric.ed25519 import Ed25519PublicKey
+
+        pub = mesh_payload[:32]
+        msg = mesh_payload[:36] + mesh_payload[100:]
+        sig = mesh_payload[36:100]
+        Ed25519PublicKey.from_public_bytes(pub).verify(sig, msg)
+        return True
+    except Exception:
+        return False
+
+
 def calculate_distance(lat1: float, lon1: float, lat2: float, lon2: float) -> float:
     """Calculate haversine distance between two points in kilometers.
 
diff --git a/tests/test_utils.py b/tests/test_utils.py
index ac0f12b..28468b4 100644
--- a/tests/test_utils.py
+++ b/tests/test_utils.py
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ from modules.utils import (
     parse_trace_payload_route_hashes,
     resolve_path,
     truncate_string,
+    verify_meshcore_advert_ed25519,
 )
 
 
@@ -185,50 +186,60 @@ class TestDecodePathLenByte:
 
     def test_single_byte_one_hop(self):
         # size_code=0 -> 1 byte/hop, hop_count=1 -> 1 path byte
-        path_byte_length, bytes_per_hop = decode_path_len_byte(0x01)
+        decoded = decode_path_len_byte(0x01)
+        assert decoded is not None
+        path_byte_length, bytes_per_hop = decoded
         assert path_byte_length == 1
         assert bytes_per_hop == 1
 
     def test_single_byte_three_hops(self):
-        path_byte_length, bytes_per_hop = decode_path_len_byte(0x03)
+        decoded = decode_path_len_byte(0x03)
+        assert decoded is not None
+        path_byte_length, bytes_per_hop = decoded
         assert path_byte_length == 3
         assert bytes_per_hop == 1
 
     def test_multi_byte_two_bytes_per_hop_one_hop(self):
         # size_code=1 -> 2 bytes/hop, hop_count=1 -> 2 path bytes
-        path_byte_length, bytes_per_hop = decode_path_len_byte(0x41)
+        decoded = decode_path_len_byte(0x41)
+        assert decoded is not None
+        path_byte_length, bytes_per_hop = decoded
         assert path_byte_length == 2
         assert bytes_per_hop == 2
 
     def test_multi_byte_two_bytes_per_hop_three_hops(self):
         # size_code=1, hop_count=3 -> 6 path bytes
-        path_byte_length, bytes_per_hop = decode_path_len_byte(0x43)
+        decoded = decode_path_len_byte(0x43)
+        assert decoded is not None
+        path_byte_length, bytes_per_hop = decoded
         assert path_byte_length == 6
         assert bytes_per_hop == 2
 
     def test_three_bytes_per_hop(self):
         # size_code=2 -> 3 bytes/hop, hop_count=2 -> 6 path bytes
-        path_byte_length, bytes_per_hop = decode_path_len_byte(0x82)
+        decoded = decode_path_len_byte(0x82)
+        assert decoded is not None
+        path_byte_length, bytes_per_hop = decoded
         assert path_byte_length == 6
         assert bytes_per_hop == 3
 
-    def test_reserved_size_code_fallback(self):
-        # size_code=3 (bytes_per_hop=4) is reserved -> legacy: path_len_byte as raw byte count, 1 byte/hop
-        path_byte_length, bytes_per_hop = decode_path_len_byte(0xC2)
-        assert path_byte_length == 0xC2  # raw byte value
-        assert bytes_per_hop == 1
+    def test_reserved_size_code_returns_none(self):
+        # size_code=3 (bytes_per_hop=4) is reserved — firmware rejects
+        assert decode_path_len_byte(0xC2) is None
 
-    def test_path_exceeds_max_fallback(self):
-        # 32 hops * 2 bytes = 64, max_path_size=64 is ok; 33*2=66 > 64 -> legacy
-        path_byte_length, bytes_per_hop = decode_path_len_byte(0x41, max_path_size=64)
+    def test_path_exceeds_max_returns_none(self):
+        # 32 hops * 2 bytes = 64, max_path_size=64 is ok; 33*2=66 > 64 — reject
+        decoded = decode_path_len_byte(0x41, max_path_size=64)
+        assert decoded is not None
+        path_byte_length, bytes_per_hop = decoded
         assert path_byte_length == 2
         assert bytes_per_hop == 2
-        path_byte_length, bytes_per_hop = decode_path_len_byte(0x61, max_path_size=64)  # 33 hops * 2
-        assert path_byte_length == 0x61
-        assert bytes_per_hop == 1
+        assert decode_path_len_byte(0x61, max_path_size=64) is None  # 33 hops * 2
 
     def test_zero_hops(self):
-        path_byte_length, bytes_per_hop = decode_path_len_byte(0x00)
+        decoded = decode_path_len_byte(0x00)
+        assert decoded is not None
+        path_byte_length, bytes_per_hop = decoded
         assert path_byte_length == 0
         assert bytes_per_hop == 1
 
@@ -258,15 +269,18 @@ class TestEncodePathLenByte:
 
     def test_three_hops_two_bytes_per_hop(self):
         assert encode_path_len_byte(3, 2) == 0x43
-        pbl, bph = decode_path_len_byte(0x43)
+        dec = decode_path_len_byte(0x43)
+        assert dec is not None
+        pbl, bph = dec
         assert pbl == 6
         assert bph == 2
 
     def test_roundtrip_with_decode(self):
         for pb in (0x01, 0x03, 0x41, 0x43, 0x82, 0x00):
-            pbl, bph = decode_path_len_byte(pb)
-            if bph == 1 and pbl == pb:
-                continue  # legacy fallback path
+            dec = decode_path_len_byte(pb)
+            if dec is None:
+                continue
+            pbl, bph = dec
             hop_count = pb & 0x3F
             assert encode_path_len_byte(hop_count, bph) == pb
 
@@ -703,6 +717,64 @@ class TestFormatKeywordResponseWithPlaceholders:
         assert "SNR" in result
         assert "RSSI" in result
 
+class TestVerifyMeshcoreAdvertEd25519:
+    """Tests for verify_meshcore_advert_ed25519() matching MeshCore createAdvert signing."""
+
+    def test_too_short_returns_false(self):
+        assert verify_meshcore_advert_ed25519(b"\x00" * 99) is False
+
+    def test_valid_signed_payload_verifies(self):
+        from cryptography.hazmat.primitives import serialization
+        from cryptography.hazmat.primitives.asymmetric.ed25519 import Ed25519PrivateKey
+
+        priv = Ed25519PrivateKey.generate()
+        pub = priv.public_key().public_bytes(
+            encoding=serialization.Encoding.Raw,
+            format=serialization.PublicFormat.Raw,
+        )
+        ts = (1718319158).to_bytes(4, "little")
+        app_data = b"\x92TestNode"  # flags + short name; total mesh payload > 100
+        msg = pub + ts + app_data
+        sig = priv.sign(msg)
+        mesh_payload = pub + ts + sig + app_data
+        assert len(mesh_payload) >= 100
+        assert verify_meshcore_advert_ed25519(mesh_payload) is True
+
+    def test_tampered_app_data_fails(self):
+        from cryptography.hazmat.primitives import serialization
+        from cryptography.hazmat.primitives.asymmetric.ed25519 import Ed25519PrivateKey
+
+        priv = Ed25519PrivateKey.generate()
+        pub = priv.public_key().public_bytes(
+            encoding=serialization.Encoding.Raw,
+            format=serialization.PublicFormat.Raw,
+        )
+        ts = (1).to_bytes(4, "little")
+        app_data = b"\x01" * 8
+        msg = pub + ts + app_data
+        sig = priv.sign(msg)
+        mesh_payload = bytearray(pub + ts + sig + app_data)
+        mesh_payload[-1] ^= 0xFF
+        assert verify_meshcore_advert_ed25519(bytes(mesh_payload)) is False
+
+    def test_tampered_signature_fails(self):
+        from cryptography.hazmat.primitives import serialization
+        from cryptography.hazmat.primitives.asymmetric.ed25519 import Ed25519PrivateKey
+
+        priv = Ed25519PrivateKey.generate()
+        pub = priv.public_key().public_bytes(
+            encoding=serialization.Encoding.Raw,
+            format=serialization.PublicFormat.Raw,
+        )
+        ts = (2).to_bytes(4, "little")
+        app_data = b"\x02" * 8
+        msg = pub + ts + app_data
+        sig = priv.sign(msg)
+        mesh_payload = bytearray(pub + ts + sig + app_data)
+        mesh_payload[40] ^= 0xFF
+        assert verify_meshcore_advert_ed25519(bytes(mesh_payload)) is False
+
+
 class TestCalculatePacketHashPathLength:
     """Tests that calculate_packet_hash uses decode_path_len_byte so multi-byte paths skip correctly."""
 
@@ -786,6 +858,12 @@ class TestCalculatePacketHashEdgeCases:
         h = calculate_packet_hash("not-valid-hex!!!")
         assert h == "0000000000000000"
 
+    def test_invalid_path_len_encoding_returns_default_hash(self):
+        """Reserved path size class (hash_size==4) → strict decode fails → default hash."""
+        # FLOOD + TXT_MSG, path_len byte 0xF5 (size code 3 → bytes_per_hop=4 reserved)
+        h = calculate_packet_hash("09F500")
+        assert h == "0000000000000000"
+
     def test_non_transport_type_skips_transport_bytes(self):
         """Route type 1 (FLOOD) → no transport bytes; hash succeeds."""
         # Header 0x09 = FLOOD + TXT_MSG, path_len=0, payload=0xFF