> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/analytics-alerts/alerts-by-name/uncommon-local-scheduled-task-creation-via-schtasks-exe.md).
# Uncommon local scheduled task creation via schtasks.exe
### Synopsis
| Field | Value |
| -------------------- | -------------------------- |
| Activation Period | 14 Days |
| Training Period | 30 Days |
| Test Period | N/A (single event) |
| Deduplication Period | 1 Day |
| Required Data | XDR Agent |
| Detector Tags | Scheduled tasks Analytics |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Persistence (TA0003) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Scheduled Task/Job (T1053) |
| Severity | Informational |
### Description
The schtasks.exe command enables creating, deleting, querying, changing, running, and ending scheduled tasks on a local or remote computer. Adversaries may attempt to use the command to gain persistence on this host using scheduled tasks.
### Attacker's Goals
Attackers may attempt to use the command to gain persistence on the endpoint using scheduled tasks.
### Investigative actions
* Review the process that creates the schedule task.
* Investigate the specific scheduled task execution chain.
### Variations
Uncommon local scheduled task creation via schtasks.exe by a remote actor
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | -------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Persistence (TA0003) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Scheduled Task/Job (T1053) |
| Severity | Informational |
**Description**
The schtasks.exe command enables creating, deleting, querying, changing, running, and ending scheduled tasks on a local or remote computer. Adversaries may attempt to use the command to gain persistence on this host using scheduled tasks.
**Attacker's Goals**
Attackers may attempt to use the command to gain persistence on the endpoint using scheduled tasks.
**Investigative actions**
* Review the process that creates the schedule task.
* Investigate the specific scheduled task execution chain.
Uncommon scheduled task created by an unsigned and rare actor via schtasks.exe
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | -------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Persistence (TA0003) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Scheduled Task/Job (T1053) |
| Severity | Low |
**Description**
The schtasks.exe command enables creating, deleting, querying, changing, running, and ending scheduled tasks on a local or remote computer. Adversaries may attempt to use the command to gain persistence on this host using scheduled tasks.
**Attacker's Goals**
Attackers may attempt to use the command to gain persistence on the endpoint using scheduled tasks.
**Investigative actions**
* Review the process that creates the schedule task.
* Investigate the specific scheduled task execution chain.
Uncommon scheduled task created by an unsigned actor via schtasks.exe
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | -------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Persistence (TA0003) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Scheduled Task/Job (T1053) |
| Severity | Low |
**Description**
The schtasks.exe command enables creating, deleting, querying, changing, running, and ending scheduled tasks on a local or remote computer. Adversaries may attempt to use the command to gain persistence on this host using scheduled tasks.
**Attacker's Goals**
Attackers may attempt to use the command to gain persistence on the endpoint using scheduled tasks.
**Investigative actions**
* Review the process that creates the schedule task.
* Investigate the specific scheduled task execution chain.
Uncommon scheduled task created by a signed actor from a rare vendor via schtasks.exe
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | -------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Persistence (TA0003) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Scheduled Task/Job (T1053) |
| Severity | Low |
**Description**
The schtasks.exe command enables creating, deleting, querying, changing, running, and ending scheduled tasks on a local or remote computer. Adversaries may attempt to use the command to gain persistence on this host using scheduled tasks.
**Attacker's Goals**
Attackers may attempt to use the command to gain persistence on the endpoint using scheduled tasks.
**Investigative actions**
* Review the process that creates the schedule task.
* Investigate the specific scheduled task execution chain.
---
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