Microsoft’s ambitious acquisition of Activision Blizzard in 2023 was anticipated to create a seamless experience between PC and console gaming. A key element of this strategy has been the gradual integration of Activision’s flagship title, Call of Duty, into the Xbox and PC Game Pass ecosystems. With the backing of a robust technology powerhouse, Activision has continued to support its legacy titles, including the 2017 release, Call of Duty: WWII, which remains active even in 2025. However, recent events have cast a shadow over this otherwise promising landscape.
PC Gaming Turmoil
Just days after Call of Duty: WWII became available on Game Pass, a wave of chaos erupted within the PC gaming community. Reports surfaced indicating that hackers had exploited remote code execution (RCE) vulnerabilities, leading to widespread disruptions and trolling incidents. Gamers took to social media to express their frustrations, with one tweet highlighting the severity of the situation: “Gamers are going ballistic. Call of Duty WWII, available on Xbox PC Game Pass, contains an unpatched RCE exploit.” The implications of such exploits can be severe, as they allow malicious actors to inject harmful code into players’ systems.
While no serious damage has been reported thus far, the potential risks associated with these tactics remain alarming. Historically, older Call of Duty titles have been susceptible to similar issues, particularly on the PC platform. This incident underscores a persistent vulnerability that has plagued the franchise.
To combat these challenges, Activision introduced its “Ricochet” anti-cheat system in 2019 with the launch of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare. This system has since evolved into Ricochet 2, designed to enhance security measures against cheating. However, Call of Duty: WWII, which predates the introduction of Ricochet, lacks the necessary protections, leaving it exposed to exploitation.
Compounding the issue is the game’s reliance on peer-to-peer (P2P) matchmaking—a method that connects players directly to one another. This outdated approach has been largely replaced by dedicated server models, which provide a more secure and stable gaming environment. The vulnerabilities inherent in P2P matchmaking have been clearly demonstrated in the recent hacking incidents.
Activision’s Response
In light of the ongoing issues, Activision has temporarily removed Call of Duty: WWII from the Microsoft Store while they investigate the situation. Despite the game remaining accessible on Steam and PC Game Pass, the entire PC gaming community is advised to refrain from playing until a resolution is reached. A recent announcement confirmed, “Call of Duty: WWII on PC Microsoft Store was brought offline while we investigate reports of an issue.”
Unfortunately, the damage may already be done, with several users reporting hacks over the weekend. In a particularly alarming instance, a streamer experienced a live hack that altered their desktop wallpaper to display an image of an Activision lawyer. Furthermore, a user known as @LasagneManne shared what appeared to be the hacking tool employed by the perpetrators, which included options for kicking players from servers and enabling “God Mode,” alongside the RCE exploit button.
As the gaming community awaits a patch to address these vulnerabilities, the hope is that Activision can swiftly restore order and security to one of its most beloved franchises.
