Suspicious Masquerading Scheduled Task Impersonating Microsoft Edge Update

ATT&CK techniques

Execution → Defense Evasion

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
- T1053.005Scheduled Task
Persistence
- T1053.005Scheduled Task
Priv Esc
- T1053.005Scheduled Task
Defense Evasion
- T1036.005Match Legitimate Resource Name or Location
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule detects schtasks creating a scheduled task named to impersonate a Microsoft Edge update while configured to run PowerShell with an execution-policy bypass, a persistence and masquerading technique observed in a nation-state APT campaign that registered an hourly MicrosoftEdgeUpdateVersion task to launch XenoRAT. It captures a malicious task disguised under a trusted update name. Detecting this is important because a scheduled task masquerading as a browser updater yet invoking PowerShell bypass is a clear sign of stealthy persistence.

Reporting behind it

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Suspicious Masquerading Scheduled Task Impersonating Microsoft Edge Update

Pivot detection · T1053.005 · 9 related

Detection content is published as a reviewed draft. Tune thresholds and exclusions against your own telemetry before enabling this rule for alerting.

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