The Xbox Series X Graphics Source Code Has Been Stolen and is Being Held Ransom For $100 Million

Things for the Xbox Series X just took a crazy interesting turn as a hacker has reportedly stolen the graphics source code for the console and is holding it ransom for $100 million. If they don’t pay up, the hacker will leak the information to everyone.

The hacker is said to have obtained source codes for various AMD devices, specifically the Navi 10, Navi 21 and Arden and devices. I’m sure that doesn’t mean anything to most of you, but the last of those is connected to the upcoming Xbox Series X, which makes the information on it incredibly valuable.

AMD is aware that there has been a breach and they believe the stolen information is “not core to the competitiveness or security” of its products, but regardless, the hacker is still threatening to release if they don’t pay up.

Torrent Freak has been in contact with the hacker, and the person, who is a woman, explained that AMD’s GPU source code was the content in question, and said: “In November 2019, I found AMD Navi GPU hardware source codes in a hacked computer. The user didn’t take any effective action against the leak of the codes.”

When questioned further on the route of extraction, she explained: “The source code was unexpectedly achieved from an unprotected computer//server through some exploits. I later found out about the files inside it. They weren’t even protected properly or even encrypted with anything which is just sad.”

She also said she hasn’t spoken to AMD about the matter because she’s pretty sure the company will try to sue her: “I haven’t spoken to AMD about it because I am pretty sure that instead of accepting their mistake and moving on, they will try to sue me. So why not just leak it to everyone?”

AMD has not mentioned the specifics of what was stolen, but they are working with law enforcement during an ongoing criminal investigation. Here’s the statement they shared:

At AMD, data security and the protection of our intellectual property are a priority. In December 2019, we were contacted by someone who claimed to have test files related to a subset of our current and future graphics products, some of which were recently posted online, but have since been taken down.

While we are aware the perpetrator has additional files that have not been made public, we believe the stolen graphics IP is not core to the competitiveness or security of our graphics products. We are not aware of the perpetrator possessing any other AMD IP.

We are working closely with law enforcement officials and other experts as a part of an ongoing criminal investigation.

What do you think of this craziness!?