Activision has temporarily removed the PC Game Pass version of Call of Duty: WW2 from circulation as it delves into reports of an unspecified issue. Some players have raised alarms about a potential remote code execution (RCE) exploit that has led to disruptive app pop-ups, unexpected PC shutdowns, and even inappropriate content appearing on their screens.
Community Concerns and Reactions
Since its launch on PC Game Pass at the end of June, the excitement surrounding Call of Duty: WW2 has been abruptly overshadowed. The game is currently unavailable on both the Game Pass and the Microsoft Store, although it remains accessible on platforms like Steam and Battle.net.
Activision’s official communication regarding the situation has been somewhat ambiguous, merely stating that the game was taken offline to investigate the reported issues. However, community feedback suggests that the latest iteration of Call of Duty: WW2 might be susceptible to remote code execution exploits, which could allow malicious actors to execute harmful code on players’ systems.
One notable incident involved popular Call of Duty streamer Wrioh, who took to social media to share their experience of being “hacked.” A video posted alongside their claims showcased their gaming session interrupted by a pop-up window declaring, “just RCE’d your ass,” followed by a surprising change to their desktop wallpaper featuring a smiling lawyer.
Additionally, the VX-Underground malware and cybersecurity research collective provided further insight, sharing images of what they allege to be an RCE attack related to Call of Duty: WW2. One image displayed an in-game error message stating, “Your PC is now mine.” VX-Underground highlighted the existence of an “unpatched RCE exploit” and noted, “Someone is trolling gamers with Notepad pop-ups, PC shutdowns, and gay pornography.”
In a more detailed analysis, VX-Underground member Smelly speculated on the implications of the incident depicted in Wrioh’s video. They expressed concern that the attacker might be capable of deploying various forms of malware, including information stealers, remote administration tools, or even ransomware. Fortunately, it appears that the primary intent of the attacker is to create chaos rather than inflict serious harm.
As of now, Call of Duty: WW2 for PC Game Pass and the Microsoft Store has remained offline since the weekend, with no updates from Activision regarding a timeline for its return. The gaming community is keenly aware of the history of RCE vulnerabilities affecting other titles, such as Nintendo’s Mario Kart 8 and Valve’s Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. A particularly notable case involved the Dark Souls series, where it took over ten months for online support to be reinstated after being taken offline in 2022. Fans of Call of Duty: WW2 are undoubtedly hoping for a more expedient resolution to this troubling situation.