Powershell Create Scheduled Task

SIGMA detection rule by frack113 · NOASSERTION

Adversaries may abuse the Windows Task Scheduler to perform task scheduling for initial or recurring execution of malicious code

title: Powershell Create Scheduled Task
id: 363eccc0-279a-4ccf-a3ab-24c2e63b11fb
status: test
description: Adversaries may abuse the Windows Task Scheduler to perform task scheduling for initial or recurring execution of malicious code
references:
    - https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/f339e7da7d05f6057fdfcdd3742bfcf365fee2a9/atomics/T1053.005/T1053.005.md#atomic-test-4---powershell-cmdlet-scheduled-task
    - https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/f339e7da7d05f6057fdfcdd3742bfcf365fee2a9/atomics/T1053.005/T1053.005.md#atomic-test-6---wmi-invoke-cimmethod-scheduled-task
author: frack113
date: 2021-12-28
modified: 2025-10-07
tags:
    - attack.privilege-escalation
    - attack.execution
    - attack.persistence
    - attack.t1053.005
logsource:
    product: windows
    category: ps_script
    definition: 'Requirements: Script Block Logging must be enabled'
detection:
    selection_cmdlet:
        ScriptBlockText|contains:
            - 'New-ScheduledTaskAction'
            - 'New-ScheduledTaskTrigger'
            - 'New-ScheduledTaskPrincipal'
            - 'New-ScheduledTaskSettingsSet'
            - 'New-ScheduledTask'
            - 'Register-ScheduledTask'
    selection_cimmethod:
        ScriptBlockText|contains|all:
            - 'Invoke-CimMethod'
            - '-ClassName'
            - 'PS_ScheduledTask'
            - '-NameSpace'
            - 'Root\Microsoft\Windows\TaskScheduler'
    filter_main_legitimate_scripts:
        ScriptBlockText|contains|all:
            - 'Microsoft.PowerShell.Core\Export-ModuleMember'
            - 'Microsoft.Management.Infrastructure.CimInstance'
            - '__cmdletization_methodParameter'
    condition: 1 of selection_* and not 1 of filter_main_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: medium
regression_tests_path: regression_data/rules/windows/powershell/powershell_script/posh_ps_cmdlet_scheduled_task/info.yml

[[ currentRule.title && currentRule.title.length > 60 ? currentRule.title.slice(0, 60) + '…' : currentRule.title ]]

d0b4e12f-630a-47a9-932e-946e938039b8

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Executable code, not a declarative rule

This submission is arbitrary [[ currentRule.format ? currentRule.format.toUpperCase() : '' ]] code, not a declarative detection rule — review it as you would any script before running it, and note that it cannot be safely aggregated or auto-executed alongside YARA/Sigma/Suricata/CRS rules.

Rejected pattern present

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Format & documentation suggestions

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