Windows Scheduled Task Creation via schtasks.exe Using sshd/ssh.exe for Tunnel Setup
Alerts when schtasks.exe creates scheduled tasks that invoke sshd.exe or ssh.exe with tunnel-related arguments.
- Product
- windows
- Category
- process_creation
- Author
- Rory Duncan (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
- Published
- 2025-07-14
- Updated
- 2026-07-30
ATT&CK techniques
Execution → Priv EscRecon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact
What it detects
This rule flags process executions of schtasks.exe where the command line includes a scheduled task creation (/create) that references sshd.exe with -f or ssh.exe with -i. Such behavior can indicate an attacker setting up persistent access by periodically launching an SSH-based tunnel or service. The detection relies on Windows process creation telemetry capturing the Image/OriginalFileName and full command line arguments used to create the task.
Reporting behind it
- thedfirreport.comhttps://thedfirreport.com/2023/10/30/netsupport-intrusion-results-in-domain-compromise/
- kroll.comhttps://www.kroll.com/en/insights/publications/cyber/cactus-ransomware-prickly-new-variant-evades-detection
- github.comhttps://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_schtasks_openssh_tunnelling.yml
Detection content is published as a reviewed draft. Tune thresholds and exclusions against your own telemetry before enabling this rule for alerting.
title: Windows Scheduled Task Creation via schtasks.exe Using sshd/ssh.exe for Tunnel Setup
id: e2e7edc9-ec88-479a-850f-90ca56506675
status: experimental
description: This rule flags process executions of schtasks.exe where the command line includes a scheduled task creation (/create) that references sshd.exe with -f or ssh.exe with -i. Such behavior can indicate an attacker setting up persistent access by periodically launching an SSH-based tunnel or service. The detection relies on Windows process creation telemetry capturing the Image/OriginalFileName and full command line arguments used to create the task.
references:
- https://thedfirreport.com/2023/10/30/netsupport-intrusion-results-in-domain-compromise/
- https://www.kroll.com/en/insights/publications/cyber/cactus-ransomware-prickly-new-variant-evades-detection
- https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_schtasks_openssh_tunnelling.yml
author: Rory Duncan, Huntrule Team
date: 2025-07-14
tags:
- attack.privilege-escalation
- attack.persistence
- attack.execution
- attack.t1053.005
- attack.command-and-control
logsource:
product: windows
category: process_creation
detection:
selection_img:
- Image|endswith: \schtasks.exe
- OriginalFileName: schtasks.exe
selection_cli_sshd:
CommandLine|contains|all:
- " /create "
- sshd.exe
- -f
selection_cli_ssh:
CommandLine|contains|all:
- " /create "
- ssh.exe
- -i
condition: selection_img and 1 of selection_cli_*
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high
license: DRL-1.1
related:
- id: 2daa93a0-a5fb-41c5-8cd8-3c11294bfd1f
type: derived