Due to a harmful vulnerability in Cyberpunk 2077, certain mods can literally hack into players’ computers and execute malicious code. Although ironically, such an issue somewhat fits the theme of the game, it is nonetheless troubling considering the vast number of mods available for the title.
Cyberpunk 2077 has been available for quite a while now, which means the passionate gaming community has developed tons of mods, both useful and ridiculous ones. Some of them are quite practical as they make several aspects of the game better. For instance, players can take advantage of one of the most popular mods called Cyber Engine Tweaks. It fixes numerous bugs and solves multiple issues with Cyberpunk 2077’s notoriously ill performance. Some other mods are capable of improving gameplay experience including better vehicle handling and more comfortable mini-map usage.
It appears that Cyberpunk 2077 can itself become a hacking tool and infect players’ computers by executing unwanted dangerous code. According to a detailed Reddit post by Romulus_Is_Here, there’s a vulnerability in the game allowing basic asset-replacing mods and save files to include malicious commands. Such a built-in fraudulent code is capable of getting access to players’ systems and stealing data through the game’s DLL files. CD Projekt Red has addressed the issue on Twitter by officially acknowledging its existence and asking players to install any mods with caution. Right now, the team is hard at work trying to find a working solution, which will be delivered through a hotfix to secure the vulnerability asap. Until then, it is highly recommended to refrain from downloading suspicious mods or save files. Better yet, players should avoid installing any modifications since literally anything can harm their computers. Interestingly enough, some gamers report that the issue is present on PlayStation 4 systems as well.
That being said, modding will probably remain the major revitalizing factor for Cyberpunk 2077 on PC, even considering these potential issues and vulnerabilities. Quite recently, CDPR has released the official modding tools for the game, effectively providing players with all the necessary technical means to develop user-created content. Additionally, the official software will drastically simplify the whole process of creating mods. The Polish studio has promised to update the tool package on a regular basis, which probably implies that new useful features could be introduced at a later date.
It feels like there hasn’t been a single week without new game-breaking bugs or dangerous vulnerabilities being discovered in Cyberpunk 2077. This recent undetectable hacking through in-game files could’ve already resulted in irreparable damage to players’ systems, although the true scale is hard to imagine. Here’s hoping that CDPR fixes the vulnerability soon enough to protect gamers from any further risks. All things considered, it’s quite fascinating that the community continues to enjoy the title despite all the odds and numerous issues.
Source: CD Projekt Red, Romulus_Is_Here