Scheduled Task Creation Via Schtasks.EXE

SIGMA detection rule by Florian Roth (Nextron Systems) · NOASSERTION

Detects the creation of scheduled tasks by user accounts via the "schtasks" utility.

title: Scheduled Task Creation Via Schtasks.EXE
id: 92626ddd-662c-49e3-ac59-f6535f12d189
status: test
description: Detects the creation of scheduled tasks by user accounts via the "schtasks" utility.
references:
    - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/schtasks-create
author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems)
date: 2019-01-16
modified: 2025-10-22
tags:
    - attack.execution
    - attack.persistence
    - attack.privilege-escalation
    - attack.t1053.005
    - attack.s0111
    - car.2013-08-001
    - stp.1u
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        Image|endswith: '\schtasks.exe'
        CommandLine|contains: ' /create '
    filter_main_system_user:
        User|contains: # covers many language settings
            - 'AUTHORI'
            - 'AUTORI'
    filter_optional_msoffice:
        #  schtasks.exe /Create /tn "Microsoft\Office\Office Performance Monitor" /XML "C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\ClickToRun\{9AC08E99-230B-47e8-9721-4577B7F124EA}\Microsoft_Office_Office Performance Monitor.xml"
        ParentImage:
            - 'C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\integration\integrator.exe'
            - 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\integration\integrator.exe'
        Image:
            - 'C:\Windows\System32\schtasks.exe'
            - 'C:\Windows\SysWOW64\schtasks.exe'
        CommandLine|contains: 'Microsoft\Office\Office Performance Monitor'
    condition: selection and not 1 of filter_main_* and not 1 of filter_optional_*
falsepositives:
    - Administrative activity
    - Software installation
level: low

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

0681dd4b-c551-42a3-a7bb-33a61f095d42

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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.

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Format & documentation suggestions

Not a security issue — this rule is valid and was accepted as-is. These are optional fields/conventions its own format recommends, mainly affecting its quality score and how well it documents itself for other reviewers.

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