Game hacking exploits
Classes
| Class | Where | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Client memory | local process | ESP/aim/speed if not server-auth |
| Packet abuse | protocol | spoofed movement, inventory dups |
| RPC/cmd abuse | server handlers | unchecked args, authz gaps |
| Race/TOCTOU | servers | double-spend, interact races |
| Prediction abuse | client-server | bunny/strafe edge cases |
| Asset/logic | scripts | exposed debug, GM cmds |
| OOB R/W | parsers | custom binary protocols |
| Auth/parser CVE | CoD / FiveM | momo5502 cod-exploits: Steam-Auth CVE-2018-20817, Huffman CVE-2018-10718 (E:\Tools\git\momo5502\cod-exploits). Aftermath 2022-09-26 FiveM/GTA V client RCE. |
Workflow
- Authority analysis first: what does the server trust?
- If server-auth: focus packets/RPC/logic bugs, not local godmode fantasies.
- Build minimal PoC with logging; then reliability.
- AC/EAC considerations only after PoC (pair
game-hacking).
Deliverables
- Repro steps, net capture, offset/version table, risk to stability.
Authority-break deep classes
Movement/prediction abuse
- UE
SavedMovereplay: client-simulated movement re-simulated on server; mismatches snap back. Exploits: temporal desync (delayed ServerMove batches to rewind hit windows), speed via tick-rate mismatch (moves computed at higher dt), strafe-acceleration edge cases (source-style air-control yielded 1.5-2x speed classes historically). - Source1 lag-comp: server rewinds hit targets to shooter's cmd time — fake latency shoots rewind-further;
cl_interpmanipulation class.
RPC surface methodology
- Dump protocol: hook engine send/recv → map opcodes → rebuild structs (
network-protocol-re). - Enumerate handlers in the dispatch switch; for each opcode: client-callable? server-side authz? (most bugs = missing authz, not authn).
- Replay privileged RPC with mutated args — classic: item-drop-on-death race, remote interact, force-trade states.
- Server-trust inversion: still found in projectile-despawn-on-client and interact-confirm paths of otherwise hardened titles.
Race/dup patterns
- Double-spend: two sessions same inventory (weak session locking, mobile titles); ToCTOU equip/use (start use → drop → finish = use-while-not-held).
- Server-tick race: two rapid interacts pre-transition (verify via timestamp deltas in capture).
OOB in custom protocols
- Declared-length trusted for both alloc and copy → adjacent-struct corruption via negative/oversized length.
- Mutation-fuzz captured flows with grammar rebuilt from structs; kick-vs-crash signatures tell authz vs parser bugs.
PoC discipline
- Live-like private server first; PoC as minimal script (python raw socket or engine replay).
- Full logs (timestamps, seq, opcodes); dup bugs can permanently corrupt character state — burn accounts knowingly.