Suspicious Scheduled Task Creation with Curl and PowerShell Execution Combo (via process_creation)

title: Suspicious Scheduled Task Creation with Curl and PowerShell Execution Combo (via process_creation)
id: 9ae87d95-e77a-5244-8cff-976bec3f1254
status: stable
description: This rule detects the creation of a scheduled task using schtasks.exe, potentially in combination with curl for downloading payloads and PowerShell for running them. This facilitates running hostile payloads or connecting with C&C server persistently without dropping the malware sample on the host.
references:
    - https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1105/
    - https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1218/
    - https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1053/005/
    - https://tria.ge/241015-l98snsyeje/behavioral2
author: Huntrule Team
date: 2026-04-14
tags:
    - attack.privilege-escalation
    - attack.execution
    - attack.persistence
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1053.005
    - attack.t1218
    - attack.command-and-control
    - attack.t1105
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_img:
        Image|endswith: '\schtasks.exe'
        CommandLine|contains|windash: ' /create '
    selection_curl:
        CommandLine|contains|all:
            - 'curl '
            - 'http'
            - '-o'
    selection_powershell:
        CommandLine|contains: 'powershell'
    condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: medium