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.

FreeReviewedSigma · High · v1

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 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 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

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Windows Scheduled Task Creation via schtasks.exe Using sshd/ssh.exe for Tunnel Setup

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.

windows-scheduled-task-creation-via-schtasks-exe-using-sshd-ssh-exe-for-tunnel-s-2daa93a0

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

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