Windows scheduled task creation via schtasks.exe from suspicious parent path

title: Windows scheduled task creation via schtasks.exe from suspicious parent path
id: 02c8c25c-d040-4cca-9d8f-4eb760977e67
status: test
description: This rule flags process creation where schtasks.exe is launched with /Create and the parent process image path contains common writable or user-controlled locations such as Temp and AppData. Attackers often use this pattern to establish persistence by creating scheduled tasks from environments likely to host dropped payloads. It relies on Windows process creation telemetry, including parent image paths, the executed image name, and command-line arguments.
references:
  - https://app.any.run/tasks/649e7b46-9bec-4d05-98a5-dfa9a13eaae5/
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules-threat-hunting/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_schtasks_creation_from_susp_parent.yml
author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems), Huntrule Team
date: 2022-02-23
modified: 2024-05-13
tags:
  - attack.execution
  - attack.persistence
  - attack.privilege-escalation
  - attack.t1053.005
  - detection.threat-hunting
logsource:
  product: windows
  category: process_creation
detection:
  selection:
    ParentImage|contains:
      - :\Temp\
      - \AppData\Local\
      - \AppData\Roaming\
      - \Temporary Internet
      - \Users\Public\
      - \Windows\Temp\
    Image|endswith: \schtasks.exe
    CommandLine|contains: "/Create "
  filter_optional_common:
    CommandLine|contains:
      - update_task.xml
      - unattended.ini
  condition: selection and not 1 of filter_optional_*
falsepositives:
  - Software installers that run from temporary folders and also install scheduled tasks
level: medium
license: DRL-1.1
related:
  - id: 9494479d-d994-40bf-a8b1-eea890237021
    type: derived