T1053.005

Official Description

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.(Citation: Stack Overflow) In some cases, adversaries have used a .NET wrapper for the Windows Task Scheduler, and alternatively, adversaries have used the Windows netapi32 library and [Windows Management Instrumentation](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1047) (WMI) to create a scheduled task. Adversaries may also utilize the Powershell Cmdlet `Invoke-CimMethod`, which leverages WMI class `PS_ScheduledTask` to create a scheduled task via an XML path.(Citation: Red Canary - Atomic Red Team)

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)

Tactics: Execution, Persistence, Privilege Escalation
Platforms: Windows
Parent Technique: T1053 · Scheduled Task/Job
MITRE Version: 1.8
Last Modified: May 12, 2026

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Reported Context (31)

The public sandbox session records creation and execution of the IronChain_SYSTEM scheduled task. IronChain Ransomware’s Encryption Design May Make Files Unrecoverable
Rhyne used scheduled tasks on the domain controller to change passwords and delete accounts. Former engineer sentenced to 32 months for locking 3,000+ devices in employer extortion attack
The report provides a detection query for malicious scheduled-task creation. Report Traces ShinyHunters’ Six-Year Evolution and Changing Attack Tactics
Gryxa maintained persistence through scheduled tasks. ReliaQuest Report Tracks Top Attacker Techniques in June–August 2026
The report identifies a \Maiden scheduled task as a persistence artifact. MALFEX: Malicious npm Supply-Chain Campaign Went Unadvised for 14 Months

CVE (17)

Malware (66)

People (23)

Threat Actors (53)

MITRE ATT&CK (147)

Vendors (47)

Products (120)

Tools (54)

Industries (23)

Countries (38)

Note: Related entities, including threat actors, malware, CVEs, MITRE ATT&CK techniques, vendors, products, tools, countries, and industries, are shown when they appear in the same reporting. Their presence does not necessarily mean they were targeted, compromised, vulnerable, responsible for the activity, or directly involved in the incident.