PUP.GameHack.BGE

Published:

Threat Scorecard

Threat Level: 10 % (Normal)
First Seen: October 16, 2026
Last Seen: October 23, 2026
OS(es) Affected: Windows

PUP.GameHack.BGE is a potentially unwanted program (PUP) that targets Windows computers, often attaching itself to game modification tools, cheat engines, or "hack" utilities that promise to give players an edge in video games. While it is classified as a low-risk threat, its presence on a system is still unwanted and can lead to a range of annoying or disruptive behaviors that affect the overall user experience.

What PUP.GameHack.BGE Does

Like many programs in the PUP.GameHack family, this application typically markets itself as a tool that can modify game files, unlock in-game features, or provide an unfair advantage in online or offline games. In practice, software of this type often engages in behavior that goes beyond its advertised purpose. This can include installing additional unwanted components, displaying intrusive advertisements, modifying browser settings such as the default search engine or homepage, or adding browser toolbars that the user never intended to install. Some PUPs also collect information about browsing habits or system usage, which may be shared with third parties for advertising purposes.

Technical analysis of this particular detection shows that the file is a 64-bit Windows executable that does not carry a digital signature, meaning its publisher cannot be verified. The file is not packed, which suggests it was not specifically designed to evade basic detection through compression, but the lack of signature and exports table is consistent with the generally low level of transparency seen in many PUPs of this kind.

How It Usually Gets Onto Computers

Game hack and cheat tools like this are typically distributed through unofficial channels such as third-party download sites, file-sharing networks, forums dedicated to gaming cheats, or video tutorials that link to downloads. Users often seek out these tools voluntarily, searching for ways to gain advantages in games, unlock premium content for free, or bypass anti-cheat systems. Because these downloads rarely come from verified or official sources, they are frequently bundled with other unwanted software or lack any meaningful security vetting. In many cases, users may not fully realize what additional components are being installed alongside the advertised game hack.

Risks for the User

Although rated at the lowest danger level, PUP.GameHack.BGE and similar programs can still create real problems. These include unwanted changes to browser configurations, an increase in pop-up or banner advertisements, reduced system performance due to background processes, and exposure to additional bundled software that may be harder to remove. There is also a broader risk associated with downloading game hacks in general: because these tools are not vetted by legitimate software stores, they can serve as a vector for more harmful threats hidden alongside the advertised functionality.

Signs of Infection

Users may notice unexpected browser changes, new toolbars or extensions they did not install, an increase in advertising while browsing, or unfamiliar programs running in the background. A sudden appearance of security alerts referencing GameHack.BGE is also a clear sign that this PUP is present on the system.

How to Stay Protected

To avoid PUPs like this one, it is best to download software, including games and modification tools, only from official and reputable sources. Reading installation prompts carefully and opting out of bundled offers, keeping security software up to date, and avoiding cheat or hack tools from unknown websites can significantly reduce the risk of encountering this type of unwanted program.

Analysis Report

General information

Family Name: PUP.GameHack.BGE
Signature status: No Signature

Known Samples

MD5: 58637cabe4cecf56ecb97825e37bd139
SHA1: 13f8a6db610acb84edf4a309382dfc02dcd2c53d
SHA256: D70676574F3D6CCFFFD0AFCD332FEC9FEA78C96988A99757C94D0F9A907B1FE9
File Size: 38.91 KB, 38912 bytes

Windows Portable Executable Attributes

  • File doesn't have "Rich" header
  • File doesn't have exports table
  • File doesn't have security information
  • File is 64-bit executable
  • File is either console or GUI application
  • File is GUI application (IMAGE_SUBSYSTEM_WINDOWS_GUI)
  • File is Native application (NOT .NET application)
  • File is not packed
  • IMAGE_FILE_DLL is not set inside PE header (Executable)
  • IMAGE_FILE_EXECUTABLE_IMAGE is set inside PE header (Executable Image)

File Traits

  • dll
  • x64

Block Information

Total Blocks: 112
Potentially Malicious Blocks: 2
Whitelisted Blocks: 110
Unknown Blocks: 0

Visual Map

0 - Probable Safe Block
? - Unknown Block
x - Potentially Malicious Block

Similar Families

  • GameHack.BGE

Windows API Usage

Category API
Syscall Use
  • ntdll.dll!NtAccessCheck
  • ntdll.dll!NtAlpcSendWaitReceivePort
  • ntdll.dll!NtApphelpCacheControl
  • ntdll.dll!NtClose
  • ntdll.dll!NtConnectPort
  • ntdll.dll!NtCreateMutant
  • ntdll.dll!NtCreateSection
  • ntdll.dll!NtDuplicateToken
  • ntdll.dll!NtFreeVirtualMemory
  • ntdll.dll!NtMapViewOfSection
Show 39 more
  • ntdll.dll!NtOpenFile
  • ntdll.dll!NtOpenKey
  • ntdll.dll!NtOpenKeyEx
  • ntdll.dll!NtOpenProcessToken
  • ntdll.dll!NtOpenProcessTokenEx
  • ntdll.dll!NtOpenSection
  • ntdll.dll!NtOpenSemaphore
  • ntdll.dll!NtOpenThreadTokenEx
  • ntdll.dll!NtProtectVirtualMemory
  • ntdll.dll!NtQueryAttributesFile
  • ntdll.dll!NtQueryDebugFilterState
  • ntdll.dll!NtQueryInformationProcess
  • ntdll.dll!NtQueryInformationThread
  • ntdll.dll!NtQueryInformationToken
  • ntdll.dll!NtQueryKey
  • ntdll.dll!NtQueryPerformanceCounter
  • ntdll.dll!NtQuerySecurityAttributesToken
  • ntdll.dll!NtQueryValueKey
  • ntdll.dll!NtQueryVirtualMemory
  • ntdll.dll!NtQueryVolumeInformationFile
  • ntdll.dll!NtQueryWnfStateData
  • ntdll.dll!NtReleaseMutant
  • ntdll.dll!NtReleaseSemaphore
  • ntdll.dll!NtReleaseWorkerFactoryWorker
  • ntdll.dll!NtRequestWaitReplyPort
  • ntdll.dll!NtSetEvent
  • ntdll.dll!NtSetInformationProcess
  • ntdll.dll!NtSetInformationVirtualMemory
  • ntdll.dll!NtSetInformationWorkerFactory
  • ntdll.dll!NtSubscribeWnfStateChange
  • ntdll.dll!NtTestAlert
  • ntdll.dll!NtTraceControl
  • ntdll.dll!NtUnmapViewOfSection
  • ntdll.dll!NtUnmapViewOfSectionEx
  • ntdll.dll!NtWaitForSingleObject
  • ntdll.dll!NtWaitForWorkViaWorkerFactory
  • ntdll.dll!NtWaitLowEventPair
  • ntdll.dll!NtWriteFile
  • UNKNOWN