MITRE ATT&CKsub-technique

T1053.005 Scheduled Task

Published 2019-11-27 Modified 2026-05-12 Official page ↗
Domain
enterprise
Tactics
Execution, Persistence, Privilege Escalation
Platforms
Windows
Version
1.8
Created
2019-11-27

Description

Adversaries may abuse the Windows Task Scheduler to perform task scheduling for initial or recurring execution of malicious code. There are multiple ways to access the Task Scheduler in Windows. The schtasks utility can be run directly on the command line, or the Task Scheduler can be opened through the GUI within the Administrator Tools section of the Control Panel. In some cases, adversaries have used a .NET wrapper for the Windows Task Scheduler, and alternatively, adversaries have used the Windows netapi32 library and Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) to create a scheduled task. Adversaries may also utilize the Powershell Cmdlet `Invoke-CimMethod`, which leverages WMI class `PS_ScheduledTask` to create a scheduled task via an XML path. An adversary may use Windows Task Scheduler to execute programs at system startup or on a scheduled basis for persistence. The Windows Task Scheduler can also be abused to conduct remote Execution as part of Lateral Movement and/or to run a process under the context of a specified account (such as SYSTEM). Similar to System Binary Proxy Execution, adversaries have also abused the Windows Task Scheduler to potentially mask one-time execution under signed/trusted system processes. Adversaries may also create "hidden" scheduled tasks (i.e. Hide Artifacts) that may not be visible to defender tools and manual queries used to enumerate tasks. Specifically, an adversary may hide a task from `schtasks /query` and the Task Scheduler by deleting the associated Security Descriptor (SD) registry value (where deletion of this value must be completed using SYSTEM permissions). Adversaries may also employ alternate methods to hide tasks, such as altering the metadata (e.g., `Index` value) within associated registry keys.

Related

Subtechnique of · MITRE ATT&CK (1)

  • T1053 Scheduled Task/Job technique

Tactic · MITRE ATT&CK (3)

Referenced by MITRE ATT&CK · mitigates (4)

  • M1047 Audit mitigation
  • M1018 User Account Management mitigation
  • M1026 Privileged Account Management mitigation
  • M1028 Operating System Configuration mitigation

Referenced by MITRE ATT&CK · uses (193)

  • G1059 NIMBUS MANTICORE group
  • S9052 MiniFast software (malware)
  • S9051 The Gentlemen Ransomware software (malware)
  • S9030 SameCoin software (malware)
  • S9031 AshTag software (malware)
  • S9032 MuddyViper software (malware)
  • S9023 HiddenFace software (malware)
  • S9019 PureCrypter software (malware)
  • S9001 SystemBC software (malware)
  • G1053 Storm-0501 group
  • S1247 Embargo software (malware)
  • C0058 SharePoint ToolShell Exploitation campaign
  • S1242 Qilin software (malware)
  • S1240 RedLine Stealer software (malware)
  • S1239 TONESHELL software (malware)
  • S1235 CorKLOG software (malware)
  • S1236 CLAIMLOADER software (malware)
  • S1228 PUBLOAD software (malware)
  • S1207 XLoader software (malware)
  • S1199 LockBit 2.0 software (malware)
  • G1044 APT42 group
  • S1190 Kapeka software (malware)
  • S1182 MagicRAT software (malware)
  • S1180 BlackByte Ransomware software (malware)
  • G1043 BlackByte group
  • C0044 Juicy Mix campaign
  • S1169 Mango software (malware)
  • S1166 Solar software (malware)
  • G1039 RedCurl group
  • S1160 Latrodectus software (malware)
Show all 193 ›

Referenced by Compliance · mitigates (14)

  • CIS-6.8 Define and Maintain Role-Based Access Control CIS Safeguard v8.1
  • NIST-AC-2 Account Management NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-AC-3 Access Enforcement NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-AC-5 Separation of Duties NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-AC-6 Least Privilege NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-CM-2 Baseline Configuration NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-CM-5 Access Restrictions for Change NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-CM-6 Configuration Settings NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-CM-7 Least Functionality NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-CM-8 System Component Inventory NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-IA-2 Identification and Authentication (Organizational Users) NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-IA-4 Identifier Management NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-RA-5 Vulnerability Monitoring and Scanning NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-SI-4 System Monitoring NIST 800-53 control

References