A CS:GO exploit raises concerns about privacy and security
A CS:GO exploit has leaked players’ IP addresses during competitive matches, and Valve is investigating the vulnerability in the hugely popular esports game. While the FPS game has a strict no-cheating policy, this exploit highlights the need for better Security measures in esports, especially given the fact that it could be used for targeted attacks.
The CS:GO exploit allows malicious players to obtain their opponents’ personal information, including their IP addresses. While this alone isn’t enough to do damage, it could enable a DDoS attack or other kind of harassment. The CS:GO community has responded with concern about Privacy and security, and we’re waiting to hear from Valve on how it plans to address the issue.
“This is a huge deal. This type of information is usually only available to law enforcement or certain government agencies,” security researcher Scott Helme explains. “With this, you could easily find out where someone is located and use that to facilitate an attack.”
Despite the fact that DDoS attacks are a common occurrence in online gaming, the potential for this information to be used for more targeted attacks is concerning, especially in a game like CS:GO, where players could be streaming their gameplay at the same time.
“I play in a bunch of competitive leagues and to have this exploit exist in the game that we play is a major concern to us, especially those in the pro leagues,” says Nick ‘Nicky’ Kolakowski, esports editor at Dot Esports. “It’s one thing to be vulnerable to a DDOS attack, but if you’re at home and you’re streaming and someone can get your address, that’s a whole other level.”
The CS:GO community has also expressed concern about the potential for this exploit to undermine the competitive integrity of the game, especially given the fact that it could be used in the Esports Championship Series.
“The competitive integrity of CS:GO is under attack from this exploit,” Kolakowski says. “This is a huge deal. If someone can DDOS you and get your IP, that’s terrifying.”
In the meantime, CS:GO players are also sharing VPNs that they believe could protect themselves from the exploit. It’s unclear at this point whether using a VPN would be enough to safeguard players against it, but it’s certainly a step in the right direction.
The fact that this vulnerability exists at all raises questions about the security measures that Valve is putting in place to protect the privacy of CS:GO players. Personal information should be safeguarded in online gaming, especially in a title that attracts as much attention as CS:GO. We’re waiting to hear from Valve on its response to this exploit and we’ll update this article with any new information as we receive it.
Featured image credit: Valve.
