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Call of Duty worm malware used to hack players exploits years-old bug on July 31, 2023 at 3:22 pm

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For around a month, hackers have been infecting players of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 with a self-spreading malware, also known as a worm. To do that, the hackers are exploiting a bug that was reported to the game’s publisher five years ago, TechCrunch has learned.

Someone on Twitter posted a screenshot showing the code behind the self-spreading malware. Maurice Heumann, a security researcher who for years has been finding and reporting bugs in several Call of Duty games, told TechCrunch that the screenshot shows the malware is using a bug and a technique to exploit the game that he himself discovered and reported in 2018 to Activision, the gaming giant that publishes the Call of Duty series.

“No fix was ever published. In fact, half a year later I sent a follow up email to ask if they fixed it,” Heumann said. TechCrunch saw a screenshot of Heumann’s correspondence with Activision.

Heumann said he never published details of the bug since Activision did not fix it, and publishing the bug could put players at risk. Referring to the bug he reported, Heymann said that “it’s super easy to exploit.”

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“It’s a simple buffer overflow with only very few limitations,” he said, referring to a well-known class of vulnerability. “Writing a full fledged exploit is a simple task.”

A security researcher looked at the malware sample for TechCrunch and confirmed the strings in the screenshot are indeed present in the malware. The code Heumann is referring to also appears in the malware analysis posted on another online repository.

The sample is now flagged as “CoDworm” by some antivirus engines.

Activision did not respond to a request for comment.

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Last week, the game publisher announced that it brought the game offline on the gaming platform Steam “while we investigate reports of an issue.”

It’s unclear why the bug reported by Heumann in 2018 was not fixed. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is 14 years old at this point, but the game is still on sale and still has a small community of players who play it online.

The hackers’ goal with this worm also remains a mystery.

Other than finding and reporting bugs on Call of Duty games, Heumann also used to develop an open source, modified, and customized version of Call of Duty: Black Ops III that patched serious vulnerabilities that he and others found in the game. This way, Heumann effectively gave players a way to play the game safely. In May, Heumann said Activision sent him a cease and desist letter demanding that he stop the project, which forced him to shut it down.

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Do you have information about this hack? Or other video game hacks? We’d love to hear from you. From a non-work device, you can contact Lorenzo Franceschi-Bicchierai securely on Signal at +1 917 257 1382, or via Telegram and Wire @lorenzofb, or email lorenzo@techcrunch.com. You can also contact TechCrunch via SecureDrop.

​ For around a month, hackers have been infecting players of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 with a self-spreading malware, also known as a worm. To do that, the hackers are exploiting a bug that was reported to the game’s publisher five years ago, TechCrunch has learned. Someone on Twitter posted a screenshot showing the 

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Epstein Files to Be Declassified After Trump Order

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Former President Donald Trump has signed an executive order directing federal agencies to declassify all government files related to Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier whose death in 2019 continues to fuel controversy and speculation.

The order, signed Wednesday at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, instructs the FBI, Department of Justice, and intelligence agencies to release documents detailing Epstein’s network, finances, and alleged connections to high-profile figures. Trump described the move as “a step toward transparency and public trust,” promising that no names would be shielded from scrutiny.

“This information belongs to the American people,” Trump said in a televised statement. “For too long, powerful interests have tried to bury the truth. That ends now.”

U.S. intelligence officials confirmed that preparations for the release are already underway. According to sources familiar with the process, the first batch of documents is expected to be made public within the next 30 days, with additional releases scheduled over several months.

Reactions poured in across the political spectrum. Supporters praised the decision as a bold act of accountability, while critics alleged it was politically motivated, timed to draw attention during a volatile election season. Civil rights advocates, meanwhile, emphasized caution, warning that some records could expose private victims or ongoing legal matters.

The Epstein case, which implicated figures in politics, business, and entertainment, remains one of the most talked-about scandals of the past decade. Epstein’s connections to influential individuals—including politicians, royals, and executives—have long sparked speculation about the extent of his operations and who may have been involved.

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Former federal prosecutor Lauren Fields said the release could mark a turning point in public discourse surrounding government transparency. “Regardless of political stance, this declassification has the potential to reshape how Americans view power and accountability,” Fields noted.

Officials say redactions may still occur to protect sensitive intelligence or personal information, but the intent is a near-complete disclosure. For years, critics of the government’s handling of Epstein’s case have accused agencies of concealing evidence or shielding elites from exposure. Trump’s order promises to change that narrative.

As anticipation builds, journalists, legal analysts, and online commentators are preparing for what could be one of the most consequential information releases in recent history.

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Netanyahu’s UN Speech Triggers Diplomatic Walkouts and Mass Protests

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What Happened at the United Nations

On Friday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the United Nations General Assembly in New York City, defending Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza. As he spoke, more than 100 delegates from over 50 countries stood up and left the chamber—a rare and significant diplomatic walkout. Outside the UN, thousands of protesters gathered to voice opposition to Netanyahu’s policies and call for accountability, including some who labeled him a war criminal. The protest included activists from Palestinian and Jewish groups, along with international allies.

Why Did Delegates and Protesters Walk Out?

The walkouts and protests were a response to Israel’s continued offensive in Gaza, which has resulted in widespread destruction and a significant humanitarian crisis. Many countries and individuals have accused Israel of excessive use of force, and some international prosecutors have suggested Netanyahu should face investigation by the International Criminal Court for war crimes, including claims that starvation was used as a weapon against civilians. At the same time, a record number of nations—over 150—recently recognized the State of Palestine, leaving the United States as the only permanent UN Security Council member not to join them.

International Reaction and Significance

The diplomatic walkouts and street protests demonstrate increasing global concern over the situation in Gaza and growing support for Palestinian statehood. Several world leaders, including Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro, showed visible solidarity with protesters. Petro called for international intervention and, controversially, for US troops not to follow orders he viewed as supporting ongoing conflict. The US later revoked Petro’s visa over his role in the protests, which he argued was evidence of a declining respect for international law.

BILATERAL MEETING WITH THE PRIME MINISTER OF ISRAEL Photo credit: Matty STERN/U.S. Embassy Jerusalem

Why Is This News Important?

The Gaza conflict is one of the world’s most contentious and closely-watched issues. It has drawn strong feelings and differing opinions from governments, activists, and ordinary people worldwide. The United Nations, as an international organization focused on peace and human rights, is a key arena for these debates. The events surrounding Netanyahu’s speech show that many nations and voices are urging new action—from recognition of Palestinian rights to calls for sanctions against Israel—while discussion and disagreement over the best path forward continue.

This episode at the UN highlights how international diplomacy, public protests, and official policy are all intersecting in real time as the search for solutions to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains urgent and unresolved.

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Is a Nuclear-Powered Alien Spacecraft Flying Toward Earth?

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A mysterious interstellar object speeding through our solar system has reignited debates about extraterrestrial technology — and whether Earth might currently be under quiet observation.

The object, known as 3I/ATLAS, is only the third confirmed interstellar visitor ever detected. Unlike ordinary comets, however, this cosmic traveler has baffled astronomers with its unusual brightness, strange trajectory, and lack of a visible cometary tail. While most scientists cautiously describe it as a natural body, one leading astrophysicist believes something much stranger is at play.

Harvard Scientist’s Bold Claim

Professor Avi Loeb of Harvard University, head of the Galileo Project, has suggested that 3I/ATLAS may in fact be a nuclear-powered alien spacecraft designed to test how humanity would respond to an interstellar visitor. He argues that its flight path is improbably precise, bringing it close to Mars, Venus, and Earth — a pattern highly unlikely to occur by chance.

Loeb also points out that telescope images show a glow inconsistent with ordinary dust behavior. Instead of trailing behind like a comet, the halo-like light appears to extend in unusual ways, sparking debate about whether the object could be emitting energy of its own.

Headed Toward Earth’s Neighborhood

3I/ATLAS is expected to make its closest approach in late 2025, passing near Mars before swinging by the inner solar system. Although Earth itself will be on the opposite side of the Sun when it comes closest, the alignment will still enable space-based observatories to capture sharper data.

Loeb has called on NASA and other agencies to use spacecraft already stationed near Mars or Jupiter — including the Juno mission — to take high-resolution photographs. He believes such efforts could reveal whether the interstellar object is truly natural, or the first technological probe humanity has ever encountered.

Should We Be Worried?

While most astronomers argue caution before jumping to alien conclusions, Loeb insists that scientific openness is key. “If it’s just a comet, we learn something new,” he said. “But if it’s a spacecraft, it would be the most important discovery in human history.”

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For now, 3I/ATLAS remains a mysterious speck on astronomers’ charts, drifting closer with each passing day. Whether it proves to be a frozen remnant of another star system or something far more advanced, the interstellar visitor has already succeeded in one mission: reminding us how vast and unpredictable the universe really is.

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