# Query suspicious programs processed by the Task Scheduler using the Event Log

```
#####aid_begin
#description: identifies execution of a suspicious program via scheduled tasks by looking at process lineage and command line usage.
#id: aid2201251952
#processtype: query
#category: eventlog
#link: <na>
#tacticidlist: <na>
#techniqueidlist: <na>
#compatibleos: |-
#  windows 7
#  windows 8.*
#  windows 10
#  windows 11
#  windows server 2008 r2
#  windows server 2012
#  windows server 2012 r2
#  windows server 2016
#  windows server 2019
#compatibleengine: |-
#  powershell 2
#  powershell 3
#  powershell 4
#  powershell 5.*
#  powershell 7.*
#bgcommandlist: |-
#  format-bgevent
#   1) query the sysmon event log.
#   2) get the schedule task with unusual parent.
#   3) get the local scheduled task creation.
#   4) get the suspicious execution via scheduled task.
#   5) get the persistence via scheduled job file-creation
#   6) get the suspicious schedule task module load
#notes:  |- 
#  adversaries use scheduled tasks to accomplish two primary objectives: maintaining access and executing processes in a specific user context, typically one with elevated privileges. adversaries may abuse the windows task scheduler to perform task scheduling for initial or recurring execution of malicious code. 
#   o event source: sysmon
#   o schema used: "sysmon.schema"
#   o event dataset: "microsoft-windows-sysmon/operational"
#   o eventid's: '1, 7, 11'
#####aid_end
commands:
- Format-BGEvent -Event "Microsoft-Windows-Sysmon/operational" -PropsOnly -MaxEvents 5000 -ID '1,11,7' -Schema "$('{0}\Blubin\Modules\BluGenie\Configs\Schema\Sysmon_1.Schema' -f $ScriptDirectory)" -EQLQuery "generic where true"
- Format-BGEvent -UseInputFile "Last:" -EQLQuery "generic where EventId in (1) and ((process_name == '*\\schtasks.exe' or process_pe_original_file_name == 'schtasks.exe') and wildcard(process_parent_name, '*\\cmd.exe', '*\\wscript.exe', '*\\rundll32.exe', '*\\regsvr32.exe', '*\\wmic.exe', '*\\mshta.exe', '*\\powershell.exe', '*\\pwsh.exe', '*\\powershell_ise.exe', '*\\WmiPrvSe.exe', '*\\wsmprovhost.exe', '*\\winrshost.exe'))"
- Format-BGEvent -UseInputFile "Last:" -EQLQuery "generic where EventId in (1) and ((process_name == '*\\schtasks.exe' or process_pe_original_file_name == 'schtasks.exe') and wildcard(process_command_line, '* /create *', '* -create *') and wildcard(process_command_line, '* /RU *', '* /SC *', '* /TN *', '* /TR *', '* /F *', '* /XML *'))"
- Format-BGEvent -UseInputFile "Last:" -EQLQuery "generic where EventId in (1) and ((process_parent_name == '*\\svchost.exe' and process_parent_command_line == '* Schedule *') and wildcard(process_pe_original_file_name, 'cscript.exe', 'wscript.exe', 'PowerShell.EXE', 'Cmd.Exe', 'MSHTA.EXE', 'RUNDLL32.EXE', 'REGSVR32.EXE', 'MSBuild.exe', 'InstallUtil.exe', 'RegAsm.exe', 'RegSvcs.exe', 'msxsl.exe', 'CONTROL.EXE', 'EXPLORER.EXE', 'Microsoft.Workflow.Compiler.exe', 'msiexec.exe') and wildcard(process_command_line, '*\\Users\\*', '*\\ProgramData\\*', '*\\Windows\\Temp\\*", '*\\Windows\\Tasks\\*', '*\\PerfLogs\\*', '*\\Intel\\*', '*\\Windows\\Debug\\*', '*\\HP\\*'))"
- Format-BGEvent -UseInputFile "Last:" -EQLQuery "generic where EventId in (11) and wildcard(file_path, '*\\Windows\\Tasks\\*.job', '*\\Windows\\System32\\Tasks\\*')"
- Format-BGEvent -UseInputFile "Last:" -EQLQuery "generic where EventId in (7) and (file_path == '*\\taskschd.dll' and wildcard(process.name, '*\\cscript.exe', '*\\wscript.exe', '*\\powershell.exe', '*\\pwsh.exe', '*\\powershell_ise.exe', '*\\eqnedt32.exe', '*\\excel.exe', '*\\fltldr.exe', '*\\msaccess.exe', '*\\mspub.exe', '*\\powerpnt.exe', '*\\winword.exe', '*\\outlook.exe'))"
```


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://manuals.blusapphire.io/blugenie/artifacts/tactical-artifacts-by-category/eventlog-query/query-suspicious-programs-processed-by-the-task-scheduler-using-the-event-log.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.