Disable Important Scheduled Task

title: Disable Important Scheduled Task
id: 9ac94dc8-9042-493c-ba45-3b5e7c86b980
related:
    - id: 7595ba94-cf3b-4471-aa03-4f6baa9e5fad # Security-Audting Eventlog
      type: similar
    - id: 9e3cb244-bdb8-4632-8c90-6079c8f4f16d # TaskScheduler EventLog
      type: similar
status: test
description: Detects when adversaries stop services or processes by disabling their respective scheduled tasks in order to conduct data destructive activities
references:
    - https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/f339e7da7d05f6057fdfcdd3742bfcf365fee2a9/atomics/T1490/T1490.md#atomic-test-8---windows---disable-the-sr-scheduled-task
    - https://twitter.com/MichalKoczwara/status/1553634816016498688
    - https://thedfirreport.com/2021/10/18/icedid-to-xinglocker-ransomware-in-24-hours/
author: frack113, Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems), X__Junior
date: 2021-12-26
modified: 2026-03-11
tags:
    - attack.impact
    - attack.t1489
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_img:
        - Image|endswith: '\schtasks.exe'
        - OriginalFileName: 'schtasks.exe'
    selection_cli_disable:
        CommandLine|contains|windash: '/disable'
    selection_cli_task:
        CommandLine|contains:
            # Add more important tasks
            - '\Windows\BitLocker'
            - '\Windows\ExploitGuard'
            - '\Windows\ExploitGuard\ExploitGuard MDM policy Refresh'
            - '\Windows\SystemRestore\SR'
            - '\Windows\UpdateOrchestrator\'
            - '\Windows\Windows Defender\'
            - '\Windows\WindowsBackup\'
            - '\Windows\WindowsUpdate\'
    condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: high
regression_tests_path: regression_data/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_schtasks_disable/info.yml
simulation:
    - type: atomic-red-team
      name: Windows - Disable the SR scheduled task
      technique: T1490
      atomic_guid: 1c68c68d-83a4-4981-974e-8993055fa034