Call of Duty Game Taken Down After PC Hack | Activision

Activision Temporarily Removes Call of Duty: WWII Due to Security Vulnerability

Activision, a leading game developer, has removed Call of Duty: WWII from digital storefronts following reports of a security breach. This action was taken after players experienced unauthorized access to their computers, as confirmed by TechCrunch.

Game Taken Offline Following Hack Reports

Last week, Activision announced the temporary removal of the Microsoft Store version of Call of Duty: WWII, a 2017 first-person shooter. The company cited investigations into reported issues, but did not initially disclose the nature of the problem.

The game had recently been launched on the Microsoft Store and was also available through Game Pass, a subscription service offering access to a library of games for a monthly fee.

Hacking Confirmed Through Internal Sources

According to an individual familiar with Activision’s response, the game was taken offline specifically due to the confirmed hacking incidents. This source requested anonymity as they are not authorized to communicate with the media.

Reports from various video game news outlets and player complaints on social media indicated potential hacking activity while playing the game. A direct connection between these reports and the game's removal was previously unconfirmed.

Remote Code Execution Exploit Identified

A player on Reddit reported the existence of a remote code execution (RCE) exploit within the game last week. This type of vulnerability allows malicious actors to install malware, potentially gaining complete control over a user’s device.

As of the current time, Call of Duty: WWII remains unavailable on the Microsoft Store and through Game Pass, as indicated on Activision’s official status page.

Multiple attempts to obtain a comment from Activision have been unsuccessful.

Specific Version Affected by Older Flaw

The removal of the game was limited to the Microsoft Store and Game Pass versions. Two sources with knowledge of the situation explained that these versions differed from those available on Steam and contained a previously known vulnerability that had already been addressed in other releases.

History of Security Incidents at Activision

Activision has faced several cybersecurity challenges in recent years. In November 2024, a flaw in the anti-cheat system of Call of Duty resulted in the wrongful banning of numerous legitimate players.

Earlier in the same year, the company investigated a hacking campaign that targeted players with infostealer malware, designed to steal sensitive information like passwords.

In 2023, hackers exploited an unpatched, years-old bug in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare to distribute a self-spreading computer worm.

Impact of Layoffs on Cybersecurity

Many video game companies have recently increased investment in their cybersecurity and anti-cheat teams. However, Activision has undergone multiple rounds of layoffs in recent years, including reductions within its cybersecurity departments.

This situation highlights the growing importance of robust security measures within the gaming industry.