A darknet intel service has confirmed that the source code for Cyberpunk 2077 and Witcher 3 was sold at auction, days after it was stolen from developer CD Projekt Red. The sale comes as no surprise, after the developer refused ransom demands two days ago.
In the latest of a series of dramas for the embattled developer, it can now be confirmed that the source code stolen by hackers during this week's hack of CD Projekt Red (CDPR) has been sold at auction.
UPDATE FEB. 12
Reports now indicate that the upfront purchase price for the CDPR Source Code was approximately $7million USD. It has been confirmed by a threat intelligence analyst at KELA, in a statement to IGN, that all of the files stolen were sold in a single package. As of writing, there is still no information available as to the identity of either the hackers, or the buyers.
Original Article:
The information was stolen in a widely-reported ransom attempt. Hackers threatened to release a large amount of internal company data, including the aforementioned source code, if the developer did not comply. CDPR swiftly issued a statement confirming that they would not be meeting the demands.
Darknet Intel Service KELA has now reported on Twitter that the CDPR auction has now closed, with the data being sold. The buyers have reportedly provided a satisfying offer, but requested the condition that no further distribution or selling would take place on the part of the hackers.
Just in: #CDProjektRed AUCTION IS CLOSED. #Hackers auctioned off stolen source code for the #RedEngine and #CDPR game releases, and have just announced that a satisfying offer from outside the forum was received, with the condition of no further distribution or selling. pic.twitter.com/4Z2zoZlkV6
— KELA (@Intel_by_KELA) February 11, 2021
On February 9, CDPR took to Twitter to reveal that it had been hacked by an unidentified actor, whom was demanding ransom money to stem the release of information. The exact information taken is still unclear as of yet, but can be confirmed to include source code from Cyberpunk 2077, and 2015's The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.
Some devices in CDPR's internal network had been encrypted, but were swiftly restored using backups. However, it is uncertain what the information now sold at auction can or will be used for. CDPR did confirm that user's private information, including those of its customers, has not been breached.
To our ex employees: As of this moment, we don't possess evidence that any of your personal data was accessed. However, we still recommend caution (i.e. enabling fraud alerts). If you have questions, please write to our Privacy Team dpo[at]https://t.co/0UUMoqT5tF
— CD PROJEKT RED (@CDPROJEKTRED) February 9, 2021
The reaction of community players and industry professionals towards this recent cyberattack has brought to light questions surrounding the problem of toxicity in the gaming community. Hopefully, the party whom has now purchased the data will not use it for illicit or hurtful purposes.
CD Projekt Red is yet to reply to our requests for comment on this issue.
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