Suspicious PythonLauncher Scheduled Task Creation via PowerShell Script

PremiumReviewedSigma · High · v1
Product
windows
Category
ps_script
Author
HuntRule
Published
2026-08-08
Updated
2026-08-28

ATT&CK techniques

Execution → Priv Esc
  1. Recon

  2. Resource Dev

  3. Initial Access

  4. Defense Evasion

  5. Cred Access

  6. Discovery

  7. Lateral Movement

  8. Collection

  9. C2

  10. Exfiltration

  11. Impact

What it detects

This rule detects PowerShell creating a scheduled task named with the PythonLauncher prefix, the logon persistence UAT-11795 registers for its Starland RAT as reported by Cisco Talos. The operators combine New-ScheduledTask with a PythonLauncher task name to relaunch the implant elevated at each logon. Matching this naming and API pattern reveals attacker persistence distinct from routine task creation.

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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.