Grinding Gear Games, the developer behind Path of Exile 2, has issued a public apology following a data breach affecting approximately 66 accounts.
The breach, resulting from a sophisticated social engineering attack, exposed sensitive personal information stolen from affected players. The developer’s statement acknowledges a security vulnerability and outlines steps taken to prevent future incidents. This incident exposed Path of Exile 2 account security issues and the importance of robust security practices in online gaming.
How the Path of Exile 2 GGG Data Breach Occurred: A Technical Breakdown
The Path of Exile 2 data breach stemmed from a compromised Steam account linked to an admin account within Grinding Gear Games. The hackers exploited a vulnerability in the studio’s audit log system, which incorrectly classified password resets as “notes,” allowing them to delete evidence of their actions.
This allowed the attackers to change passwords on 66 hacked accounts. The attackers only needed the email address, account name, and to use a VPN from the same country as the account. The social engineering attacks in gaming leveraged an old, unsecured Steam profile, demonstrating the potential risks of outdated security practices.
Further investigation revealed that the attackers potentially accessed a significant amount of personal information stolen, including email addresses, Steam IDs, IP addresses, and shipping addresses.
Transaction histories and private messages, some involving Grinding Gear Games staff, were also at risk. The potential for the attacker to combine email addresses with publicly available compromised passwords to access more accounts is also a significant concern.
This shows the importance of unique passwords across different platforms and the value of regularly checking your passwords against lists of compromised credentials. The data breach implications for gamers are significant, highlighting the need for stronger security measures.
Path of Exile 2 Developer Apologizes and Implements Measure to Secure Your Account
Path of Exile 2 developer apologize for data breach and Grinding Gear Games has implemented additional security measures, including stricter restrictions on admin accounts and the removal of third-party account links. The company emphasizes its commitment to preventing future incidents. However, the lack of two-factor authentication (2FA) in Path of Exile 2 remains a concern. This vulnerability underscores the importance of two-factor authentication in gaming as a crucial layer of security.
The steps to secure gaming accounts after a breach include changing passwords, enabling 2FA where available, and regularly reviewing your account activity. Understanding common vulnerabilities in game accounts and proactively addressing them is crucial for all players.
Gaming account hacks 2025 are a growing concern, and this incident is a significant example of the risks involved.
Protecting Your Path of Exile Account and Preventing Future Breaches
Given the nature of this Path of Exile 2 data breach, players should take immediate steps to protect their accounts. This includes changing passwords, reviewing account activity for any unauthorized access, and enabling 2FA on any linked accounts.
Understanding how to protect your Path of Exile account involves a multi-layered approach, including strong passwords, vigilance against phishing attempts, and keeping software updated. The incident underscores the need for increased awareness of protecting personal information in online games and the importance of developers prioritizing robust security measures.
