huntrule

Windows schtasks.exe scheduled task creation from suspicious folders

Alerts on schtasks.exe /create using PowerShell/cmd and suspicious folder paths like ProgramData.

FreeReviewedSigma · High · v1
Product
windows
Category
process_creation
Author
Florian Roth (Nextron Systems) (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2022-04-15
Updated
2026-07-30
AnalysisDetection

ATT&CK techniques

Execution → Priv Esc

  1. Recon

  2. Resource Dev

  3. Initial Access

  4. Execution

  5. Persistence

  6. Priv Esc

  7. Defense Evasion

  8. Cred Access

  9. Discovery

  10. Lateral Movement

  11. Collection

  12. C2

  13. Exfiltration

  14. Impact

What it detects

This rule flags process creation where schtasks.exe is used with a /create command and the action references suspicious folder paths such as C:\ProgramData\ or %ProgramData%. Attackers often use scheduled tasks for persistence by placing commands in commonly abused locations and invoking them via command-line tooling. It relies on Windows process creation telemetry, matching schtasks.exe invocations and the presence of /create along with PowerShell/cmd command patterns and suspicious folder strings within the CommandLine.

Reporting behind it

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Windows schtasks.exe scheduled task creation from suspicious folders
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.