Original URL: https://www.theregister.com/2011/09/08/amd_gaming_offer_security_snafu/
AMD Steam-game offer suspended after keys pilfered
DiRTy snatch leaves gamers worried
Posted in Security, 8th September 2011 10:29 GMT
Data security problems have led to the suspension of a free-videogame-with-every-Radeon-graphics-card offer from AMD and Codemasters.
Three million activation codes that allowed gamers to play a free copy of DiRT 3 on Steam have leaked. AMD's redemption site, AMD4u, was left vulnerable to a .htaccess exploit. This website security flaw allowed the activation codes for the rally driving game to be extracted from a database on the site.
In a statement, AMD said that valid game vouchers would still be honoured while admitting this process is likely to be delayed, Eurogamer reports.
"Activation keys associated with free DiRT 3 game vouchers shipping with select AMD products were compromised," the statement explained. "These activation keys were hosted on a third party fulfillment agency website, www.AMD4u.com, and did not reside on AMD's website. Neither the AMD nor Codemasters servers were involved.
"We are working closely with Steam, Codemasters, and our fulfillment agency to address the situation. AMD will continue to honour all valid game vouchers, however the current situation may result in a short delay before the vouchers can be redeemed."
Steam is likely to block the codes leading to fears that anyone who innocently uses the codes as part of the promo will end up with a blocked account as a result. Chris Boyd (AKA Paperghost), a keen gamer who works as a security researcher for GFI Software, said Steam is trying to prevent such collateral damage.
"The biggest concern on the mind of a gamer would be if their PC gaming accounts – such as those utilising the Steam platform, which may be tied to hundreds of pounds worth of gaming titles – could be suspended due to using one of the stolen keys to activate DiRT 3 on their account," Boyd told El Reg. "The official Steam Support Twitter account has addressed this issue, so hopefully that will set their minds at ease for the time being."
The DiRT 3 incident caps a miserable summer for information security at games developer Codemasters. In an apparently unrelated recent incident, Codemasters was forced to pull its website offline and get users to change their passwords following a hack attack back in June. ®