GTA V Source Code Leaked Online

More than a year after the hacker group Lapsus$ breached Rockstar Games, the source code for Grand Theft Auto V (GTA V) has finally been made publicly available. Some are dedicating this leak to Lapsus$ member Arion Kurtaj, who was recently sentenced to indefinite detention in a secure hospital.

Background: The Lapsus$ Hack and Previous Leaks

Back in 2022, members of Lapsus$ hacked Rockstar Games, gaining access to the company’s internal Slack server and Confluence wiki. At the time, it was reported that the source code and assets for both GTA V and GTA VI, as well as a test build of GTA VI, were stolen. Some of this stolen content was leaked online. The hackers also shared samples of the GTA V source code as proof of the breach and later attempted to sell the source code and game assets.

Source Code Now Widely Available

Now, download links for the GTA V source code have appeared across multiple platforms, including Discord servers, dark web sites, and a Telegram channel previously used to leak stolen Rockstar data. The owner of this channel, known as Phil, posted links to the stolen source code and shared a screenshot of one of the folders.

Dedication to Arion Kurtaj

Phil dedicated the leak to former Lapsus$ member Arion Kurtaj, also known online as teapotuberhacker. Last year, Kurtaj was responsible for leaking numerous pre-release videos of Grand Theft Auto VI. Just last week, it was reported that a UK court sentenced the 18-year-old Kurtaj to indefinite detention in a secure hospital, citing his hacking skills, autism, and stated intent to continue hacking as reasons he was considered a danger to society.

“#FreeArionKurtaj He started all of this and made sure the leak became public. I respect him immensely. Miss you, buddy. If you want to reminisce, check the pinned messages in the channel to see how it all unfolded in 2022. Arion was very active here,” Phil wrote in the Telegram channel.

Motivations Behind the Leak

Researchers from VX-underground reported that they spoke with the person responsible for this leak on Discord. According to them, the leaker claimed to have obtained the source code in August 2023. Their motivation was to fight fraud among GTA V modders, as many people had allegedly been scammed by individuals claiming to have the GTA V source code.

“He claims he got the source code in August 2023,” the researchers wrote. “His motivation was to combat fraud among GTA V modders, since many had been deceived by people claiming to possess the GTA V source code.”

Rockstar Games’ Response

As of now, Rockstar Games has not commented on the situation, likely due to the holiday season.