Windows Scheduled Task Created via Registry Key Activity

title: Windows Scheduled Task Created via Registry Key Activity
id: 136a2855-cb13-4156-9468-ecd1a5c58612
status: test
description: This rule identifies events where Windows registry keys under the Scheduled TaskCache locations (Tasks and Tree) are accessed/created, indicating scheduled task activity tracked in the registry. Attackers may abuse scheduled tasks to establish persistence, and registry-backed task cache changes can be an early indicator of such behavior. Telemetry relies on Windows registry event logging that records the TargetObject path involved in the operation.
references:
  - https://center-for-threat-informed-defense.github.io/summiting-the-pyramid/analytics/task_scheduling/
  - https://posts.specterops.io/abstracting-scheduled-tasks-3b6451f6a1c5
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules-threat-hunting/windows/registry/registry_event/registry_event_scheduled_task_creation.yml
author: Center for Threat Informed Defense (CTID) Summiting the Pyramid Team, Huntrule Team
date: 2023-09-27
tags:
  - attack.execution
  - attack.persistence
  - attack.privilege-escalation
  - attack.s0111
  - attack.t1053.005
  - car.2013-08-001
  - detection.threat-hunting
logsource:
  product: windows
  category: registry_event
detection:
  selection:
    TargetObject|contains:
      - \Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Schedule\TaskCache\Tasks\
      - \Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Schedule\TaskCache\Tree\
  condition: selection
falsepositives:
  - Likely as this is a normal behaviour on Windows
level: low
license: DRL-1.1
related:
  - id: 93ff0ceb-e0ef-4586-8cd8-a6c277d738e3
    type: derived