Call of Duty pulled offline as hackers target vulnerable systems
- Reports emerged detailing players being hacked while playing Call of Duty: WWII, highlighting a serious remote code execution vulnerability.
- In response to the ongoing security issues, Activision pulled the game from availability on Game Pass and the Microsoft Store.
- Gamers have been advised to cease gameplay until further clarity on the security vulnerabilities is established.
In early July 2025, players of Call of Duty: WWII in the United States reported a serious security vulnerability that allowed hackers to execute remote code execution (RCE) attacks. The game was made available again on Game Pass shortly before this incident, indicating that the vulnerability was exploited soon after it became accessible to a wider audience. This led to significant concerns among gamers who could lose control of their systems during gameplay. Reports indicated that those affected experienced various malicious activities from unauthorized access, including the opening of command prompts and the manipulation of system setups. As a result of these alarming reports, Activision decided to remove Call of Duty: WWII from the Microsoft Store and Game Pass services to investigate the situation further. Their swift action indicates the seriousness of the RCE vulnerability, which posed a risk not only to the game's integrity but also to users' personal computers. It has been suggested that these vulnerabilities highlight a growing intersection between gaming and cybersecurity, where hackers can manipulate games to gain access to players' systems. Malwarebytes, a well-known cybersecurity firm, reported that the RCE exploit could lead to serious repercussions, giving malicious actors the ability to disrupt gameplay and potentially compromise entire systems. Gamers were urged to refrain from playing the title until the issue was resolved. The situation has raised broader concerns about the security of online gaming platforms and the measures developers must take to safeguard user data and system integrity. With ongoing investigations, the community is calling for more transparent and effective security measures to prevent future hacking incidents within popular games. The response from Activision regarding this issue was minimal, consisting primarily of statements acknowledging the reports of hacks and ongoing investigations. This lack of detailed information has left players anxious about the potential risks of playing their favorite games, prompting discussions on the need for enhanced protection in the gaming industry.