Possible Scheduled Task Creation Through Schtasks.EXE (via process_creation)

title: Possible Scheduled Task Creation Through Schtasks.EXE (via process_creation)
id: e9716bd6-89bd-5a69-af2b-fd66b2d49109
status: stable
description: This rule detects the creation of scheduled tasks by user accounts via the "schtasks" utility.
references:
    - https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1053/005/
    - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/schtasks-create
author: Huntrule Team
date: 2026-06-08
tags:
    - attack.execution
    - attack.persistence
    - attack.privilege-escalation
    - attack.t1053.005
    - attack.s0111
    - car.2013-08-001
    - stp.1u
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        Image|endswith: '\schtasks.exe'
        CommandLine|contains: ' /create '
    filter_main_system_user:
        User|contains:
            - 'AUTHORI'
            - 'AUTORI'
    filter_optional_msoffice:
        ParentImage:
            - 'C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\integration\integrator.exe'
            - 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\integration\integrator.exe'
        Image:
            - 'C:\Windows\System32\schtasks.exe'
            - 'C:\Windows\SysWOW64\schtasks.exe'
        CommandLine|contains: 'Microsoft\Office\Office Performance Monitor'
    condition: selection and not 1 of filter_main_* and not 1 of filter_optional_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: low