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Cybercriminals set up fake Rockstar Games websites advertising a nonexistent GTA 6 demo and “Extended Look” content, then pushed a malicious Windows file named gta6_installer.exe to users searching for leaked footage, maps, or unofficial builds. Researchers identified the payload as Vidar infostealer, a malware family that harvests saved passwords, session cookies, browser history, autofill data, and credentials from other applications, creating a high risk of account takeover through stolen authenticated sessions.
The campaign exploited renewed public interest in leaked Grand Theft Auto VI material and used cloned branding tied to Rockstar’s legitimate promotion while inserting deceptive download and “Play Now” buttons. Reporting indicates the sample targeted 19 browsers and additional software including Thunderbird, some FTP clients, and browser components used by other applications, while also relying on dead-drop resolver profiles on Telegram, Pinterest, and Steam Community to locate attacker infrastructure. Published indicators include malicious domains, associated Vidar infrastructure, and a SHA-256 hash for the sample, and defenders advised affected users to scan infected systems, change passwords from a clean device, revoke active sessions, and remove unknown devices or app authorizations.
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The malicious file gta6_installer.exe, identified as Vidar infostealer, was first seen on August 19, 2026. The campaign used fake Rockstar-themed GTA 6 demo sites to lure users into downloading malware instead of legitimate game content.
On August 18, 2026, new GTA 6 gameplay footage and an apparent full map of Leonida began circulating online, driving renewed public interest. A person or group calling itself Cyberleek claimed responsibility for the leaks.
Researchers reported that the fake GTA 6 sites distributed Vidar via domains including gta6demo.asia, gta6demo.eu, gta6demo.us, and rockstar-gta-6.com, and documented dead-drop resolver profiles on Telegram, Pinterest, and Steam Community. They also published the SHA-256 hash for gta6_installer.exe and associated Vidar infrastructure, including observed connections to ses.1001gacor.org and ket.sm188daftar.mom.
After the leaks circulated, Rockstar Games and Take-Two responded with takedowns. Take-Two also filed DMCA subpoenas seeking records from Microsoft and Discord to help identify the source of the leaks.
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Threat actors are exploiting demand for an unreleased **Grand Theft Auto VI** download through SEO-poisoned search results, gaming forums, torrent sites, social-media posts, and a fraudulent fan countdown site. One campaign distributes oversized, junk-padded ISO files—some exceeding 100 GB—to make a supposed leak appear legitimate. Their `gta6installer.exe` displays Russian-language licensing messages before reporting a deliberate “license not found” failure, while silently installing NJRAT and DCRAT remote-access trojans, the Mercurial Grabber infostealer, and a Chaos ransomware variant used as a destructive wiper. The ISO campaign appears primarily aimed at Russian-speaking users. A separate fake GTA 6 download site embeds a Solana wallet drainer and remotely configured code capable of profiling and draining assets across seven blockchain networks. Victims face theft when they approve a transaction or token/NFT permission request; the site selectively blocks users in several CIS countries and uses anti-analysis measures. Organizations should warn users against unofficial GTA 6 downloads, isolate and fully reimage systems that executed the fake installer, reset exposed credentials and enable MFA. Wallet users that approved malicious permissions should revoke them and move remaining assets to a new wallet if their funds or recovery phrase may have been exposed.
Sep 14, 2026
A purported GTA VI leaker operating as **CyberLeek** released alleged gameplay, map material, and apparent story spoilers while promoting the Solana token `$CYBERLEEK`. Rockstar Games said the game remains unfinished and urged audiences to await its intended November 19 release; Take-Two is pursuing court orders targeting Microsoft, Discord, and X to identify the leaker and stop further disclosures. The token reportedly fell 40% despite additional claimed leaks. Threat actors exploited interest in the leaks by distributing fake playable GTA VI builds through torrents, Telegram channels, and websites including `cyberleek[.]click` and `cyberleek[.]info`. The installers deployed legitimate ConnectWise ScreenConnect clients configured for unattended access through attacker-controlled relays, while lure sites fingerprinted visitors and sent collected data to operators via Telegram Bot API callbacks. A fake DocuSign site, `docsn[.]cc`, used the same profiling, Telegram reporting, and ScreenConnect delivery pattern, indicating a shared playbook but not confirmed common infrastructure or attribution.
Aug 29, 2026
Cybercriminals are exploiting demand for **Grand Theft Auto VI** with fraudulent websites that promise “VIP Early Access,” beta keys, and subscriptions while impersonating official branding with GTA 6 logos, Vice City imagery, and other convincing artwork. Researchers cited by Malwarebytes and NordVPN reported a surge in these sites, which primarily target **PC** and **Android** users by advertising nonexistent versions of the game even though Rockstar Games has announced launch plans for **PlayStation 5** and **Xbox Series X/S** and said there is **no public beta program**. Victims are typically asked to send about **$250** in cryptocurrency, including **Bitcoin**, **Ethereum**, or **USDT**, but receive neither access nor a legitimate game copy. Instead, the lures can lead to malware infections involving **information stealers**, **banking trojans**, **adware**, or **ransomware**, extending a pattern seen in earlier GTA 6-themed scams that used fake ads and bogus PC beta downloads to compromise users.
Jun 29, 2026