On Tuesday, Microsoft addressed a record-setting number of security vulnerabilities across its range of products, largely attributed to the utilization of AI that aided both the company and outside researchers in identifying these bugs. 

Among the issues resolved was a security flaw in the remastered edition of the beloved 25-year-old strategy game Age of Empires II. This vulnerability enabled hackers to gain control of a target’s computer by sending a specially crafted harmful game invitation, as stated by security analysts. 

A clip shared on X demonstrates how this vulnerability could be exploited by cybercriminals.

According to the cybersecurity company Rapid7, a successful breach would have permitted hackers to upload harmful files to the target’s system, thereby granting them the capability to execute malicious code on that machine.

In essence, this would mean the hacker could have seized control of the compromised computer.

Currently, there is no evidence that this vulnerability was exploited in reality by hackers. However, targeting gamers can effectively lead to the installation of malware across a large number of victims’ computers, allowing for password theft, for instance.