Grand Theft Auto Online community members are warning players about a remote code execution "RCE" exploit that could allow hackers access to users' PCs. It's unfortunately not uncommon to find hackers in Grand Theft Auto Online. It's one of the most popular online games in the world and a frequent target of hacking services. However, these latest warnings indicate that a Grand Theft Auto Online exploit has been discovered allowing for unprecedented access that could even threaten players' accounts or PCs.
As an online multiplayer game, much of Grand Theft Auto Online's systems are server-side. Keeping account details server-side not only allows Rockstar to protect that information from outside influence but keeps players from altering the information on their own PCs. Exploits typically find a way around these security issues by manipulating the data sent from a player's client to the servers. It's Rockstar's job with Grand Theft Auto Online's security to ensure the data being sent is authentic before allowing it to change anything server-side.
Yet an exploit that was recently discovered appears to be allowing just that. Rockstar reporter Tez2 has shared on Twitter that a new "extreme exploit" is allowing hackers to alter other Grand Theft Auto Online players' stats. This exploit can even be used to corrupt players' accounts. Users report this RCE exploit is already being used online. Impacted Grand Theft Auto Online users will be "stuck in the clouds indefinitely" if they try to go online after being hacked.
The greater fear is that hackers are only scratching the surface of what's possible with the RCE exploit. Tez2 says that "this could transform into something much worse [and] extend beyond [the] game and affect your PC." So far, it's unclear if hackers have taken such steps, but Tez2 is recommending Grand Theft Auto Online players take some time away from the game for Rockstar to evaluate the problem.
In his latest update on the subject, Tez2 explains that Rockstar is aware of the problem and is "logging" affected accounts. It isn't entirely clear what's happening, based on Tez2's description, but at the very least Rockstar appears to be concerned about it. That Rockstar hasn't issued a response or taken more aggressive steps to deal with the exploit either means it isn't widespread yet or is otherwise very concerning.
Tez2 recommends players use a firewall rule for Grand Theft Auto Online to protect themselves from the RCE exploit. Alternatively, there's a "temporary fix" where players can delete their "Rockstar Games" folder within their documents. The situation is all very muddled, but the exploit does seem to be real. Grand Theft Auto Online players should be wary.
Grand Theft Auto Online is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
