Ubisoft has disabled the PC game download feature of its Uplay service after it emerged that an exploit allowed users access to free copies of games, including the as yet unannounced Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon.
The Assassin’s Creed publisher said in a statement issued to Polygon that it’s "aware of the issue and working to resolve it quickly". It added: "No personal information was compromised. Uplay's PC download service will be unavailable until the problem is fixed however all other Uplay services remain available."
Michael McKinnon, an advisor at online security firm AVG, told the site that the exploit requires users to download a "potentially malicious executable file" in order to "modify a locally installed file that tricks the UPlay platform into providing a download link and details for the game”. He added: "Obtaining untrusted executable files is extremely dangerous and many such files, popular in gaming communities, often contain malicious code designed to steal gaming account login details and other private information; which can be traded for money by the perpetrators.”
Launched last year, the Uplay PC application acts as a digital distribution platform and community hub for Ubisoft games as well as those of other publishers. Uplay features include an integrated shop, a friends list and a chat system.
