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](https://attack.mitre.org/software/S0111) 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 to create a scheduled task.

The deprecated [at](https://attack.mitre.org/software/S0110) utility could also be abused by adversaries (ex: [At](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1053/002)), though <code>at.exe</code> can not access tasks created with <code>schtasks</code> or the Control Panel.

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](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1218), adversaries have also abused the Windows Task Scheduler to potentially mask one-time execution under signed/trusted system processes.(Citation: ProofPoint Serpent)

Adversaries may also create "hidden" scheduled tasks (i.e. [Hide Artifacts](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1564)) 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).(Citation: SigmaHQ)(Citation: Tarrask scheduled task) Adversaries may also employ alternate methods to hide tasks, such as altering the metadata (e.g., `Index` value) within associated registry keys.(Citation: Defending Against Scheduled Task Attacks in Windows Environments) 
Scheduled Task
source_name: mitre-attack  url: https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1053/005  external_id: T1053.005     source_name: ProofPoint Serpent  description: Campbell, B. et al. (2022, March 21). Serpent, No Swiping! New Backdoor Targets French Entities with Unique Attack Chain. Retrieved April 11, 2022.  url: https://www.proofpoint.com/us/blog/threat-insight/serpent-no-swiping-new-backdoor-targets-french-entities-unique-attack-chain     source_name: Defending Against Scheduled Task Attacks in Windows Environments  description: Harshal Tupsamudre. (2022, June 20). Defending Against Scheduled Tasks. Retrieved July 5, 2022.  url: https://blog.qualys.com/vulnerabilities-threat-research/2022/06/20/defending-against-scheduled-task-attacks-in-windows-environments     source_name: Twitter Leoloobeek Scheduled Task  description: Loobeek, L. (2017, December 8). leoloobeek Status. Retrieved December 12, 2017.  url: https://twitter.com/leoloobeek/status/939248813465853953     source_name: Tarrask scheduled task  description: Microsoft Threat Intelligence Team & Detection and Response Team . (2022, April 12). Tarrask malware uses scheduled tasks for defense evasion. Retrieved June 1, 2022.  url: https://www.microsoft.com/security/blog/2022/04/12/tarrask-malware-uses-scheduled-tasks-for-defense-evasion/     source_name: Microsoft Scheduled Task Events Win10  description: Microsoft. (2017, May 28). Audit Other Object Access Events. Retrieved June 27, 2019.  url: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/threat-protection/auditing/audit-other-object-access-events     source_name: TechNet Scheduled Task Events  description: Microsoft. (n.d.). General Task Registration. Retrieved December 12, 2017.  url: https://technet.microsoft.com/library/dd315590.aspx     source_name: TechNet Autoruns  description: Russinovich, M. (2016, January 4). Autoruns for Windows v13.51. Retrieved June 6, 2016.  url: https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963902     source_name: TechNet Forum Scheduled Task Operational Setting  description: Satyajit321. (2015, November 3). Scheduled Tasks History Retention settings. Retrieved December 12, 2017.  url: https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/e5bca729-52e7-4fcb-ba12-3225c564674c/scheduled-tasks-history-retention-settings?forum=winserver8gen     source_name: SigmaHQ  description: Sittikorn S. (2022, April 15). Removal Of SD Value to Hide Schedule Task - Registry. Retrieved June 1, 2022.  url: https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/registry/registry_delete/registry_delete_schtasks_hide_task_via_sd_value_removal.yml     