In a significant move, Activision has removed Call of Duty: WWII from both the Microsoft Store and PC Game Pass following alarming reports of player hacks. This decision comes in response to a critical security vulnerability that allowed hackers to gain remote access to players’ computers while they engaged in gameplay.
Security Flaw Exposed
The issue emerged shortly after the game was introduced to Microsoft’s Game Pass subscription service in late June 2025. Within just a week, players began experiencing a range of troubling symptoms, including unexpected computer freezes, the spontaneous opening of command prompts and Notepad, forced shutdowns, and even alterations to desktop wallpapers. Disturbingly, some users reported receiving direct messages from hackers, indicating that their systems had been compromised through a remote code execution (RCE) exploit.
Remote Code Execution (RCE) is a serious vulnerability that enables hackers to execute malicious code on a victim’s PC, effectively taking full control of the system. While this flaw was addressed in the Steam version of the game, the version uploaded to the Microsoft Store was outdated and still contained the exploit, making it susceptible to attacks. The game’s peer-to-peer (P2P) networking architecture further facilitated these breaches, as one player’s computer serves as the server during matches, simplifying the hackers’ ability to target others.
As reports of hacking incidents proliferated, many gamers took to social media to share screenshots and videos showcasing their compromised systems during gameplay. This surge of alarming content prompted popular streamers to caution their audiences against playing Call of Duty: WWII until the issue is resolved.
In light of these developments, Activision has opted to take the game offline from the Microsoft Store to conduct a thorough investigation. However, the company has not provided specific details regarding the reasons for the removal or a timeline for when the game might return. Meanwhile, the game remains available on Steam, where user reviews are rife with warnings against downloading it. Players are urging Activision to address these security concerns before reintroducing older titles to new platforms. For the time being, it is advisable for gamers to refrain from downloading Call of Duty: WWII on PC, whether from the Microsoft Store or Steam.
