Scheduled Task Creation on Remote Endpoint using At
The following analytic detects the creation of scheduled tasks on remote Windows endpoints using the at.exe command. This detection leverages Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) telemetry, focusing on process…
Description
The following analytic detects the creation of scheduled tasks on remote Windows endpoints using the at.exe command. This detection leverages Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) telemetry, focusing on process creation events involving at.exe with remote command-line arguments. Identifying this activity is significant for a SOC as it may indicate lateral movement or remote code execution attempts by an attacker. If confirmed malicious, this activity could lead to unauthorized access, persistence, or execution of malicious code, potentially resulting in data theft or further compromise of the network.
Detection logic
Detection requirements
- Platform
- LinuxmacOSWindows
The rule states no platform. This is derived from the ATT&CK technique it maps to.
- Log source category
- crowdstrike_processrollup2sysmon_eventid_1windows_event_log_security_4688
Known benign triggers
- Administrators may create scheduled tasks on remote systems, but this activity is usually limited to a small set of hosts or users.
MITRE ATT&CK mappings
0 exclusive techniques.This is coverage no other published rule has; it is not this rule's total technique count.
References
| Reference | Cited by |
|---|---|
| docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/at | Only this detection cites it |
| docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/cimwin32prov/win32-scheduledjob?redirectedfrom=MSDN | Only this detection cites it |
From the source
- At source
- Open at source
- Upstream identifier
- 4be54858-432f-11ec-8209-3e22fbd008af
- Tagged by the source as
- 0bj3ctivity StealerActive Directory Lateral MovementLiving Off The LandScheduled TasksEndpointendpointSplunk CloudSplunk EnterpriseSplunk Enterprise Securityendpoint
Licence
- Published under
- Apache License 2.0Read the licence
- Attribution
- Required
- Obtained under
- Apache-2.0Read the origin licence
Authorship
- Written by
- Published
- Aug 26, 2026
- Version
- 1