Suspicious Powershell Create Scheduled Task (via ps_script)

title: Suspicious Powershell Create Scheduled Task (via ps_script)
id: 7447b864-3449-5c7b-b8ed-17ae23b0b796
status: stable
description: This rule detects threat actors may misuse the Windows Task Scheduler to perform task scheduling for initial or recurring execution of hostile code
references:
    - https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1053/005/
    - https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/f339e7da7d05f6057fdfcdd3742bfcf365fee2a9/atomics/T1053.005/T1053.005.md#atomic-test-4---powershell-cmdlet-scheduled-task
    - https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/f339e7da7d05f6057fdfcdd3742bfcf365fee2a9/atomics/T1053.005/T1053.005.md#atomic-test-6---wmi-invoke-cimmethod-scheduled-task
author: Huntrule Team
date: 2026-04-24
tags:
    - attack.privilege-escalation
    - attack.execution
    - attack.persistence
    - attack.t1053.005
logsource:
    product: windows
    category: ps_script
    definition: 'Requirements: Script Block Logging must be enabled'
detection:
    selection_cmdlet:
        ScriptBlockText|contains:
            - 'New-ScheduledTaskAction'
            - 'New-ScheduledTaskTrigger'
            - 'New-ScheduledTaskPrincipal'
            - 'New-ScheduledTaskSettingsSet'
            - 'New-ScheduledTask'
            - 'Register-ScheduledTask'
    selection_cimmethod:
        ScriptBlockText|contains|all:
            - 'Invoke-CimMethod'
            - '-ClassName'
            - 'PS_ScheduledTask'
            - '-NameSpace'
            - 'Root\Microsoft\Windows\TaskScheduler'
    filter_main_legitimate_scripts:
        ScriptBlockText|contains|all:
            - 'Microsoft.PowerShell.Core\Export-ModuleMember'
            - 'Microsoft.Management.Infrastructure.CimInstance'
            - '__cmdletization_methodParameter'
    condition: 1 of selection_* and not 1 of filter_main_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: medium