Suspicious schtasks Persistence Spawned from PowerShell or Script Chain

ATT&CK techniques

Execution → Priv Esc

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
- T1053.005Scheduled Task
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 schtasks creating a scheduled task when launched from a PowerShell or command-shell parent, a persistence step observed in the Suky Castle ClickFix-style campaign where an obfuscated PowerShell to cmd to attrib to schtasks chain established persistence. It captures scheduled-task creation originating from an interactive scripting context rather than an installer. Detecting this is important because attacker-driven schtasks activity typically descends from a script host rather than a legitimate management tool.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1053.005 — drag to rearrange

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Malicious Scheduled Task Masquerading as Defender NisSrv via Schtasks

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Suspicious Scheduled Task Masquerading as Palo Alto Cortex Services

Malicious Scheduled Task Running rundll32 w32analytics (via process_creation)

Malicious Scheduled rundll32 Execution of ProgramData VMware DLL by BianLian

Suspicious schtasks Persistence Spawned from PowerShell or Script Chain

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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