Activision has taken down the PC version of Call of Duty: WWII after reports of a serious security issue. The company confirmed on Saturday that the game was removed from online access due to “an issue,” but later reports revealed it was far more severe than a technical glitch.
According to multiple sources, the game had a remote code execution (RCE) vulnerability. This flaw allowed attackers to take control of other players’ computers during live multiplayer matches. The exploit gave hackers the ability to run commands, open programs like Notepad, force remote shutdowns, and even change desktop wallpapers.
This issue affects only PC users, especially those playing through Game Pass and possibly Steam. Console players are not impacted, as those systems do not allow this kind of code execution.
The vulnerability is linked to the game’s peer-to-peer (P2P) network structure, where one player’s system acts as a server. This setup can create gaps in security, making it easier for attackers to find ways into other systems during gameplay.
Players shared disturbing accounts of how their systems were being controlled in real time during matches. Some saw command prompts opening automatically, while others received messages from hackers or had their computers forcibly restarted.
Call of Duty: WWII was added to Microsoft’s Game Pass just days ago. With more new players joining, the risk became larger. This security flaw in a six-year-old game gained new attention only because of the recent Game Pass release.
The Call of Duty community has raised similar concerns in the past. Many players already avoid older Call of Duty titles on Steam due to known hacking issues. But this RCE flaw is far more dangerous than typical in-game cheating.
There is no official timeline yet for when the game will return online. Some players are hoping Activision updates its Ricochet anti-cheat system, which could help stop these kinds of attacks in the future. However, it is still unclear if Ricochet will address this specific vulnerability.
Until then, players are advised to avoid launching the game on PC, especially through Game Pass or the Microsoft Store. Experts also recommend keeping your antivirus software updated and watching for updates from Activision about patches or fixes.