Argonath RPG - A World of its own

GTA:SA => SA:MP - San Andreas Multiplayer => SA:MP General => Topic started by: CM Daniel on June 07, 2008, 10:10:00 pm

Title: "SA-MP Closure" > "Re-opened again"
Post by: CM Daniel on June 07, 2008, 10:10:00 pm
Quote from: SA-MP website
SA-MP Closure - 7th June 2008

On the 2nd of June 2008 former SA-MP developer 'Jacob', who also goes by the name Simon Jacob Dis, decided to form a hacking group called Zytronics. The purpose of this group was to leak parts of the SA-MP source code and confidential information online and take full credit for it.

With a hacking group such as Zytronics in control of the SA-MP source code we can no longer guarantee the safety and security of SA-MP clients and servers, and for this reason we now advise against using this software.

A deal was initially reached with Jacob, after he published the SA-MP client source code online, that he would delete the SA-MP source code and information he had access to and remove himself from any involvement. Being the sort of person that he is, Jacob did not keep this agreement. He would later go on to assert we had no valid copyright to our own source code and he was free to steal it if he wished.

Information

Mods like SA-MP can not operate while people like Jacob and his Zytronics group freely break the law and show complete disregard for intellectual property rights and the security, safety and privacy of online gamers. For this reason, I recommend that action should be taken against him and his Zytronics group to protect any future game mods from being victimized like SA-MP has been.

After looking up the WHOIS info on website that was published with the source code, I found the following information:

TRC Roofing and Siding
3811 Rogers Avenue
Fort Smith, Arkansas 72901
United States
479-561-9572
479-287-9459
email: [email protected], [email protected]

Jacob appears to have registered his Zytronics group under the name of his business TRC Roofing and Siding.

While there are clearly other people who were involved in the escalations which lead up to this, Jacob has taken the final action which requires SA-MP’s closure.

I’ll most likely be interested in taking action against Jacob myself at some point. By removing the copyright notices from all of the SA-MP source files before he leaked them, he basically deprived the entire team credit for the years of work they had put in. This is unacceptable. If you find more information about this Jacob person please e-mail it to [email protected]

Background

SA-MP was one of the most popular online game modifications ever created. From the website statistics there appears to have been between 100,000 and 130,000 active players at the time of writing – from almost every country on the planet. Record concurrent player counts were reached earlier in 2008 with over 9000 concurrent players and over 8 million downloads have been recorded.

Vulnerability/Threat Disclosure

The SA-MP 0.2 clients are capable of downloading and executing arbitrary code as part of the SAC (SA-MP anti-cheating) system. The SAC system can be activated from an SA-MP server by the server operator. If an SA-MP server requests a client to authorize to SAC, no user interaction can stop the downloading and execution of the SAC code.

The security mechanisms in the SAC client module require that the code be signed with a private encryption key only available to SA-MP developers.

The private encryption key used to sign SAC client authorization code is now in the hands of the hacking group Zytronics. This group has shown a willingness to disclose all private information and SA-MP source code to the public. The source of the SAC module is no longer limited to the code signed by SA-MP developers.

License Termination

The owners of SA-MP.com, and those mentioned as part of the SA-MP Team, no longer accept any liability for the use of the SA-MP software.

Under the following section of the license agreement: “The author(s) of this software retain the right to modify this license at any time.” All licenses to use the SA-MP client or server are revoked.

Quote taken from: www.sa-mp.com
Title: Re: SA-MP down again
Post by: Aragorn on June 07, 2008, 11:45:51 pm
This time it seems like for real... As the other side will not give up without fight...
Anyway I would like all Argonath players stay away from flame on any of this sides...
The case belongs more to lawyers, and you have no all/true info, so please stay away from fighting between any sides of conflict...
Title: Re: SA-MP down again
Post by: MonkMan on June 08, 2008, 01:38:31 am
OMFG What an Idoit

I Like this ... are we gunna shut our server down?
Title: Re: SA-MP down again
Post by: Wolfe on June 08, 2008, 01:42:56 am
damm too bad I hope SA-MP be back soon, seems that there will be a huge increase of players on MTA SA.
Title: Re: SA-MP down again
Post by: Jserg on June 08, 2008, 02:44:30 am
As i know Argonath RPG (SAMP) will not be closed..but new scripts never come out..Currently fix all bugs of this script


And i wanna say a big fuck to SAMP team...They are childrens and playing SAMP is dead , We are back , Samp is dead , Hey we came back....
Title: Re: SA-MP down again
Post by: WDoyle on June 08, 2008, 02:47:01 am
Jserg, please dont use that kind of language again.

The developers of Argonath RPG servers always do there best to make sure that players have the best experience in which they can do within there limits.
Therefore we dont care about car limits and new scripts we care whether you guys have the best experience playing here.
Thats why we make changes and some times release new scripts :) Hope this lightens your path.

Title: Re: SA-MP down again
Post by: lavamike on June 08, 2008, 06:25:03 am
Wow...

Is all I can say
Title: Re: SA-MP down again
Post by: MasterNeo on June 08, 2008, 06:29:53 am
i didnt realise this case is a really 'huge' thing :o
Title: Re: SA-MP down again
Post by: Kitsune on June 08, 2008, 06:42:26 am
This is a side thing, I am happy as long as I can play on the server. :)
Title: Re: SA-MP down again
Post by: [Rstar]Razor on June 08, 2008, 08:13:00 am
This is a side thing, I am happy as long as I can play on the server. :)
Yes, I agree, even thou it makes me a bit sad that 0.2.5 will never come out(the great stability and sync are awesome)


Razor.
Title: Re: SA-MP down again
Post by: Gandalf on June 08, 2008, 10:07:03 am
Razor how would you know that ?  ;)

As we do not know all things that happened, all we can do is watch the developments and keep our servers up. As long as it does not cause problems and there are people playing, our SA-MP server will be open. And we do intend to bring out new scripts with bugfixes and some new features.

Who knows from this fight a new development team will rise that will continue and finish the current project.
Title: Re: SA-MP down again
Post by: winky on June 08, 2008, 12:07:51 pm
SA-MP is isnt safe anymore:
Quote
Vulnerability/Threat Disclosure
The SA-MP 0.2 clients are capable of downloading and executing arbitrary code as part of the SAC (SA-MP anti-cheating) system. The SAC system can be activated from an SA-MP server by the server operator. If an SA-MP server requests a client to authorize to SAC, no user interaction can stop the downloading and execution of the SAC code.
The security mechanisms in the SAC client module require that the code be signed with a private encryption key only available to SA-MP developers.
The private encryption key used to sign SAC client authorization code is now in the hands of the hacking group Zytronics. This group has shown a willingness to disclose all private information and SA-MP source code to the public. The source of the SAC module is no longer limited to the code signed by SA-MP developers.
source: sa-mp.com (http://sa-mp.com)
Title: Re: SA-MP down again
Post by: Aragorn on June 08, 2008, 01:03:47 pm
We do not use SAC...  :)
Title: Re: SA-MP down again
Post by: Gandalf on June 08, 2008, 01:38:47 pm
The vulnerability is ONLY possible to abuse when you go on a server that has SAC anticheat enabled (which we never did, and as is was discontinued no server should) and the owner of the server uses it to send you malware. This means that as long as you do not accept invitations to unknown servers you will be perfectly safe.  :cop:
Title: Re: SA-MP down again
Post by: [Rstar]Razor on June 08, 2008, 01:39:39 pm
Razor how would you know that ?  ;)
Ive seen a few films on youtube.
Title: Re: SA-MP down again
Post by: Abraham on June 08, 2008, 01:40:44 pm
Who is John Galt?
Title: Re: SA-MP down again
Post by: Gandalf on June 08, 2008, 01:46:02 pm
Who is John Galt?
The Huge Manatee  :D
Title: Re: "SA-MP Closure"
Post by: CM Daniel on June 08, 2008, 03:21:10 pm
This was added to their document on www.sa-mp.com today:

Quote from: SA-MP website
Vulnerability/Threat Disclosure

The SA-MP 0.2 clients are capable of downloading and executing arbitrary code as part of the SAC (SA-MP anti-cheating) system. The SAC system can be activated from an SA-MP server by the server operator. If an SA-MP server requests a client to authorize to SAC, no user interaction can stop the downloading and execution of the SAC code.

The security mechanisms in the SAC client module require that the code be signed with a private encryption key only available to SA-MP developers.

The private encryption key used to sign SAC client authorization code is now in the hands of the hacking group Zytronics. This group has shown a willingness to disclose all private information and SA-MP source code to the public. The source of the SAC module is no longer limited to the code signed by SA-MP developers.

License Termination

The owners of SA-MP.com, and those mentioned as part of the SA-MP Team, no longer accept any liability for the use of the SA-MP software.

Under the following section of the license agreement: “The author(s) of this software retain the right to modify this license at any time.” All licenses to use the SA-MP client or server are revoked.
Title: Re: "SA-MP Closure"
Post by: MonkMan on June 08, 2008, 04:15:17 pm
Wht the last bit mean
Title: Re: "SA-MP Closure"
Post by: Cross on June 08, 2008, 04:19:32 pm
See... this is what happends if you let 16 year old kids Develope a masive online mod.  (no disrespect)

But am about to win 5 euro, because i betted with Sitano on that SA:MP would close down in the next 3 months.
Title: Re: "SA-MP Closure"
Post by: John_Vaughan on June 08, 2008, 05:34:57 pm
Wow... After All what happened before, I expected this SAMP Closure...

All I can say is... :bye:  - But Will be happy as long as I can play on the Argonath RPG SA-MP Server :D

See... this is what happends if you let 16 year old kids Develope a masive online mod.  (no disrespect)

Agree 100% on that, Cross, Adding to that the inmaturity of them.

Offtopic: I like your picture, Cross :)
Title: Re: "SA-MP Closure"
Post by: CM Daniel on June 08, 2008, 06:45:15 pm
See... this is what happends if you let 16 year old kids Develope a masive online mod.  (no disrespect)

Nobody let them, they just did it by themselves. And without them we wouldn't have the SA:MP part of Argonath (by far the most popular part).
Title: Re: "SA-MP Closure"
Post by: Carbon on June 08, 2008, 06:53:36 pm
See... this is what happends if you let 16 year old kids Develope a masive online mod.  (no disrespect)



It doesn't matter how old he is.. 16 or 50. Experience is only u need.  ;)
Title: Re: "SA-MP Closure"
Post by: Aragorn on June 08, 2008, 07:46:30 pm
Kyeman is not 16 as I heard, he is over 30...

Yeah and I think its too early to say bye to everyone...
Title: Re: "SA-MP Closure"
Post by: Gandalf on June 08, 2008, 07:54:31 pm
Quote
------------------------------------------------------------------
The SA:MP modification for Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (r) is a
software research project aimed at extending the functionality of
the Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (r) software for Microsoft
Windows (r).
------------------------------------------------------------------

The software contained herein is provided on an "as-is" basis without
any form of warranty.

This software may not be exploited for personal, financial or
commercial gain.

The author(s) of this software accept no liability for use/misuse of the
software.

The SA:MP software package may not be distributed, sold, rented or
leased without written permission of the software author(s).

You may not create or distribute derivative works of the software or files
contained within the package.

You may not use this software for any illegal purposes.

The author(s) of this software retain the right to modify this license
at any time.

-------------------------------------------------------------------
(c) 2005-2007 SA:MP software research team.

SA:MP software research team is not affiliated with Rockstar Games,
Rockstar North or Take-Two Interactive Software Inc.

Grand Theft Auto and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas are registered
trademarks of Take-Two Interactive Software Inc.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Revoking a license is not a modification, there for mentioning the right to modify is not equal to the right to revoke a license.
2. In the license the owner and Sa-MP team already did not accept liability for the use of the software.
3. The authors can withdraw the permission to distribute, but they can not withdraw permission to use, as this was not included in the license.

This means that using SA-MP is NOT illegal.

Regarding the vulnerability, it is only when the server SAC (anticheat). Argonath has never used this, which means that there is no risk for our players as fas as we can determine at this moment. But it is clear that joining servers that are not known can be a risk.
Title: Re: "SA-MP Closure"
Post by: TruthSvensson on June 08, 2008, 09:22:54 pm
If SA-MP closes,we have MTA so dont worry  :)
Title: Re: "SA-MP Closure"
Post by: Abraham on June 08, 2008, 10:39:46 pm
Wait, I don't get it... How can joining unknown servers be a risk? :S
Title: Re: "SA-MP Closure"
Post by: Gandalf on June 08, 2008, 10:59:30 pm
Wait, I don't get it... How can joining unknown servers be a risk? :S
If a bad-willing server admin manages to create a self-downloading virus by SAC they can get access to your PC.
Title: Re: "SA-MP Closure"
Post by: Kane King on June 08, 2008, 11:06:46 pm
If a bad-willing server admin manages to create a self-downloading virus by SAC they can get access to your PC.
Damn, i guess i can play only Argonath now.
Title: Re: "SA-MP Closure"
Post by: Gandalf on June 08, 2008, 11:19:14 pm
Damn, i guess i can play only Argonath now.
No... there are many servers with a good reputation...and not many server owners that have enough knowledge to make such things.  ;)
Title: Re: "SA-MP Closure"
Post by: Freedom on June 09, 2008, 05:01:44 pm
I hope Argonath will put on SAC and send Trojans to everyone :)








Nah. Actually hope it won't happen. Argonath is a nice lovely palace where we can sit when we are bored. What we do without Argonath : )
Title: Re: "SA-MP Closure"
Post by: Aragorn on June 09, 2008, 05:18:15 pm
We can send one Trojan without SAC :rofl:
Probably even with the new radio program...  :banana:
Title: Re: "SA-MP Closure"
Post by: Aragorn on June 09, 2008, 05:25:39 pm
Quote
Update on recent security concerns :: Posted by SA-MP on 09 Jun 2008
The website and master server lists have been reopened. For now, the security situation appears normal. You can continue to use the SA-MP software if you wish and we’ll be releasing some further security updates within the next two weeks. We’ll also be monitoring the security situation and news will be posted here if there are any threats.

Before this new 0.2.2 security update is made available, please adhere to the following recommendations:
* Only play on trusted servers.
* If anyone asks you to add auth.sa-mp.com or auth2.sa-mp.com to your windows ‘hosts’ file, ignore the request.
* If you notice the Internet and Official lists disappear again, please check this website for information.

It has been decided that, although the actions of the former developer are damaging to the project, the responsibility for preventing something like this was my own. There should have been more strict criteria for allowing someone to enter the team and access the source code and encryption keys. Signed agreements should have also been in place. These will be part of the new rules for any SA-MP developer that has access to the source code.

I apologize for any inconvenience caused during the downtime and hopefully this situation will be completely resolved after the next software update.

Kind regards,
Kye
SA-MP Lead Developer
Title: Re: "SA-MP Closure" > "Re-opened again"
Post by: martenest on June 09, 2008, 05:44:33 pm
Why don't they make up their mind already: close and open, close and open. Driving me nuts.
Title: Re: "SA-MP Closure" > "Re-opened again"
Post by: Poncho on June 09, 2008, 05:51:54 pm
It seems that Kye's gut reaction is "*cry* I hate this I don't want to do it anymore *cry" and then after maybe talking to other devs or having a few days to think about it he realises it doesn't have to close.

Don't insult them, he had to quickly get the information out and as he must have just found out about the possible virus download he was in a bad mood and so put the information out and gave up. Then after having some time to think he realised all wasn't lost, I gotta say I like the guy, he's only human.
Title: Re: "SA-MP Closure" > "Re-opened again"
Post by: Aragorn on June 09, 2008, 09:32:41 pm
At least he also learns and getting experience... Contract agreement with developers he hires is what he should do far ago...
Title: Re: "SA-MP Closure" > "Re-opened again"
Post by: Altair_Carter on June 10, 2008, 08:00:36 am
Atleast we can continue hope that SAMP 0.2.5 will release  ;)

Regards
Officer Altair
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