Cyberpunk 2077 2020 new screenshots-1

PSA: Fake “mobile app” of Cyberpunk 2077 game is being distributed as a ransomware, don’t download it

Despite the lackluster performance and controversial reception of Cyberpunk 2077, there are still eager gamers willing to get their hands on this game by any means. Recently some cybercriminals have been exploiting this opportunity and the popularity of this game by releasing a fake mobile version that’s actually a ransomware/malware.

Before continuing, you must be aware that there is currently no mobile version of Cyberpunk 2077, an Android/iOS port; so any Mobile Android app or installer which is uploaded on any website is totally fake, and it is being disguised as a Malware.

Earlier this week, one Kaspersky Android malware analyst Tatyana Shishkova discovered an Android ransomware masquerading as a mobile version of the Cyberpunk 2077 game.

A fake website which was actually disguised to look like Google’s Play Store was offering a mobile version of CDPR’s latest title, but it turns out that the said version actually installed a ransomware on the victim’s Mobile device, thus infecting it in the whole process.

CP2077 malware-1

This new ransomware has been dubbed as Coderware, and once it infects any mobile device, the contents are then fully encrypted.

However, this ransomware uses a “hardcoded key”, which means that a decryptor can be used to recover files without having to pay any demanded ransom fee by the cybercriminals. According to the ransomware instructions, the affected victims have only 10 hours to send $500 worth of bitcoins to the attackers, or else their encrypted file will be permanently deleted.

“RC4 algorithm with hardcoded key (in this example – “21983453453435435738912738921”) is used for encryption. That means that if you got your files encrypted by this #ransomware, it is possible to decrypt them without paying the ransom.”

The hardcoded key ‘21983453453435435738912738921’ in the source code as shown below:

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CP2077 malware-3

As pointed out by Tatyana Shishkova, this ransomware attack uses the same variant as the BlackKingdom ransomware that was released in early 2020. This ransomware is the same as one discovered by the MalwareHunterTeam in November that was disguised as a Windows Cyberpunk 2077 installer.

CP2077 malware-4

The Windows variant was actually a python compiled exe that would encrypt the victim’s files and then append the .DEMON extension to encrypted file’s names. Though, it is not known if the Windows version also uses a hardcoded key at this time.

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The BlackKingdom ransomware has targeted enterprise VPNs earlier this year as well. Like mentioned before, no mobile version of this game currently exists, so users should avoid suspicious downloads.

CP2077 malware-6

The best way of course is to protect your mobile device is to not download and install unofficial software or any third-party Android app. The game is only available and playable on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and Stadia.

Stay safe!

33 thoughts on “PSA: Fake “mobile app” of Cyberpunk 2077 game is being distributed as a ransomware, don’t download it”

  1. Scammers and bad actors always release fake mobile versions of PC/console games. If you’re dumb enough to need this article to tell you that, you deserve to have your phone ransomed.

    1. Sadly, there are many who are going to fall for this trap, and not everyone is smart on the Internet thee days, and they get easily scammed as well. That’s the truth.

    2. The sad truth is that +80% of gamers don’t even go to websites to get informed, they only know that there are games out there, and they want to play those.
      Buuuuuuut, smartphone players need to die.

    1. How do you guys manage to play that much amount of time on such a buggy overhyped game in the first place ? **facepalm**

      1. Maybe because it isn’t actually that buggy for most PC players? I’ve only run into one serious bug so far at about 79 hours, and it was fixed the same day I found it by a patch.

        As far as overhyped… yeah. But any hype for a game is too much hype.

      2. I have only had one crash in 106 hours. Visual bugs like perma-T-posed NPCs were fixed in 1.04 and the worst that will happen now is the occasional object a character holds in their hands detached from the hands and hovers (but this is rare).

  2. Hey Metal, given that you did not participate in the Best Games of 2020, perhaps you could make a Best Game Soundtrack of 2020? Maybe that suits you better. Just my 2 cents. Merry Christmas!

    1. Hey, thanks for the suggestion ! I will surely look into this, though it would be kind of odd if other writers don’t participate in my Gaming Soundtrack article though, lol.

      But anyways, speaking of soundtracks, you reminded me of one of my fav game tracks, from CRYSIS Warhead ! I absolutely love the ‘main menu’ and the ‘Hovercraft Pursuit’ theme tracks !

      Merry X’MAS to you and others as well !

        1. Both these games are also awesome ! I like the Shadow Warrior 2 theme more than the Warhammer Main menu track.

          I even like DOOM 3’s main menu theme. But it starts slowly, so you need to wait on the main menu for some time for the full track to play. But Doom 3s track is also pretty good.

  3. Cyberpunk: More like Scammerpunk, these ransomware devs are amateurs, the real scammers are CDProjekt who exit scammed their game for 13 million sold units.

    Merry Christmas.

  4. There are f4ggots who are still defending for this POS Game no matter what. Pure overhyped piece of JUNK ”CP 2077” really is.

    Lame dialogue options, ugly characters full of LGBT gender, funny NPCs, broken NPC/enemy/police AI, sheet graphics called as next-gen (lmao), and absolute zero immersion in the open world. How can someone defend such a rushed out buggy release of a game, is just beyond me !

    1. All that will probably amount to nothing, since CDprojekt exit scammed their game to a impressive 13 million sales. By the time they release their next game the gaymers would have already forgotten about this one. Sad but true.

  5. Good!
    those bunch of idiot mobile user with they low range phone thinking that gaming in mobile are more superior than in pc, 3rd world country are fk nuts they laugh at u for not playing they sh**ty mobile game

  6. Nope, not exactly. Actually some users wanted me to write an article on this story, and I got few Emails for this request as well (not sure why though), so we just decided to publish this news.

    I was reluctant in the first place though. But anyways, DSOG still focuses only on core PC and Windows OS gaming. Also, it’s Holiday season as well, so this was kind of an Off Topic News article, lol.

  7. Mate, stop whining and go play!
    You don’t need to praise the game, you don’t need to expect it to be the next world’s marvel, take it just as a game and I’m quite sure you’ll be fine.

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