Scheduled Task Creation with Curl and PowerShell Execution Combo

 Original Source: [Sigma source]
Title: Scheduled Task Creation with Curl and PowerShell Execution Combo
Status: experimental
Description: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.
References:
  -https://tria.ge/241015-l98snsyeje/behavioral2
Author: Swachchhanda Shrawan Poudel (Nextron Systems)
Date: 2025-02-05
modified:None
Tags:
  • -'attack.privilege-escalation'
  • -'attack.execution'
  • -'attack.persistence'
  • -'attack.stealth'
  • -'attack.t1053.005'
  • -'attack.t1218'
  • -'attack.command-and-control'
  • -'attack.t1105'
Logsource:
  • category: process_creation
  • product: windows
Detection:
  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_*
Falsepositives:
  -Legitimate use of schtasks for administrative purposes.
  -Automation scripts combining curl and PowerShell in controlled environments.
Level: medium