Hackers breach gaming giant Electronic Arts, steal game source code

Image: Maxim Abramov

Gaming giant Electronic Arts (EA) has been hacked and threat actors claim to have stolen roughly 750 GB of data, including game source code and debug tools.

EA confirmed the data breach in a statement sent to BleepingComputer saying that this "was not a ransomware attack, that a limited amount of code and related tools were stolen, and we do not expect any impact to our games or our business."

BleepingComputer spoke to the threat actor selling EA's data who claims to have stolen the full FIFA source, EA game clients, and points used as in-game currency.

In-game points have been known to be used by cybercriminals for money laundering purposes. 

When asked how they gained access to EA's network they would not provide further details.

Stolen EA data worth $28 million

The attackers claim to have access to all of EA's services, telling customers willing to pay $28 million for the stolen data that they will also gain "full capability of exploiting on all ea services," as first reported by Motherboard.

In all, the hackers claim to have stolen a massive trove of data from EA's network, including:

• FrostBite game engine source code and debug tools
• FIFA 21 matchmaking server code
• FIFA 22 API keys and SDK & debug tools
• debug tools, SDK, and API keys
• proprietary EA games frameworks
• XBOX and SONY private SDK & API key
• XB PS and EA pfx and crt with key

They also shared screenshots of directory listings and source code as proof that the stolen information is legitimate.

BleepingComputer found the attackers' posts promoting the stolen data on various marketplaces and hacking forums using Kela's Dark Beast intelligence service.

No game or business impact expected

"We are investigating a recent incident of intrusion into our network where a limited amount of game source code and related tools were stolen," an EA spokesperson told BleepingComputer.

"No player data was accessed, and we have no reason to believe there is any risk to player privacy.

"Following the incident, we’ve already made security improvements and do not expect any impact on our games or our business.

"We are actively working with law enforcement officials and other experts as part of this ongoing criminal investigation."

EA is a game developer and publisher behind multiple high-profile brands such as Madden NFL, EA SPORTS FIFA, Battlefield, The Sims, and Need for Speed.

EA also has over 450 million registered players worldwide and posted GAAP net revenue of $5.5 billion for the fiscal year 2020.