Security News > 2021 > June > Fallout of EA source code breach could be severe, cybersecurity experts say
Potential buyers could be interested in using the source code to game the game to make millions, perhaps sounding EA's death knell in the process.
The news that games giant Electronic Arts was hacked and the source code and software development kits to many popular games like FIFA 21 and 22 as well as the source code to Frostbite, the games engine that powers many of popular titles such as Madden, Need for Speed and Battlefield, has spread like wildfire in the past 24 hours.
"Game source code is highly proprietary and sensitive intellectual property that is the heartbeat of a company's service or offering. Exposing this data is like virtually taking its life. Except that in this case, EA is saying only a limited amount of game source code and tools have been exfiltrated. Even so, the heartbeat has been interrupted and there's no telling how this attack will ultimately impact the life blood of the company's gaming services down the line."
Since the EA hack is not yet known to be a ransomware attack and involves source code instead data like credit cards or medical information that is much easier to sell on the Dark Web, the question of who would want to buy the code becomes more interesting, said Grajek.
Because EA game coins are bought and sold by players using real-world currency on unregulated market places like buyfifacoins.com, the hackers could be trying to attract the attention of organized hacker groups like China's Apt 41.
"[A]ccess to the source code allows you to simply read the game code like an open book," he said.