Suspicious Scheduled Task Executing VBScript via Process Creation

ATT&CK techniques

Execution → Priv Esc

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
- T1053.005Scheduled Task
- T1059.005Visual Basic
Persistence
- T1053.005Scheduled Task
Priv Esc
- T1053.005Scheduled Task
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule detects creation of a scheduled task that runs VBScript through wscript or cscript, matching UAC-0099 persistence that fires a VBS loader every few minutes to relaunch a hidden PowerShell beacon. Adversaries chain the task scheduler with script hosts for resilient, low-profile persistence.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1053.005 — drag to rearrange

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Suspicious Scheduled Task Creation With WebDAV Loader Task Names (via process_creation)

Suspicious Scheduled Task Creation with ClickFix Update Recon Name (via process_creation)

Malicious Scheduled Task Named Gentlemen via Schtasks

Malicious Scheduled Task Masquerading as Defender NisSrv via Schtasks

Malicious Scheduled Task Masquerading as Windows Defender Updater (via process_creation)

Suspicious Scheduled Task Masquerading as Palo Alto Cortex Services

Suspicious Scheduled Task Executing VBScript via Process Creation

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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