Cheat DetectionHighPublished

FiveM External Cheat hash-identified sample detection

An unnamed FiveM external cheat identified by SHA-256 49C275CB04134AFC50816121930786B2D7843F055C13BAF52626CAAE4C79C321. External cheats operate from a separate process and read/write game memory without injecting into the FiveM process, leaving a distinct artifact footprint.

CR
Clubhouse AC Research June 2, 2026 6 min read

Summary

  • SHA-256 49C275CB04134AFC50816121930786B2D7843F055C13BAF52626CAAE4C79C321 provides definitive binary identification.
  • External cheat architecture: operates as a standalone process reading game memory, visible in the process list alongside FiveM.
  • PcaSVC and Prefetch records persist after execution.

Overview

This sample is an external FiveM cheat — meaning it operates as a standalone process rather than injecting code into the FiveM game process. External cheats read and write game memory through Windows APIs (e.g., ReadProcessMemory / WriteProcessMemory), leaving them visible in the process list when FiveM is running.

The sample is identified solely by its SHA-256 hash, as no branded name or distinctive filename has been attributed to this build. The hash provides unambiguous binary identification when the file is available on disk.

Sample metadata (IOC)

FiveM external cheat — file indicatorsIOC
Type        FiveM external cheat (process-based)

SHA-256     49C275CB04134AFC50816121930786B2
            D7843F055C13BAF52626CAAE4C79C321

Behavioral indicators

External process co-located with FiveM

Because this is an external cheat, it will appear as a separate process in Task Manager or System Informer while FiveM is running. An unknown process with memory read permissions on FiveM_GTAProcess.exe is a strong indicator of an external cheat. Check the handles and memory access patterns of any unfamiliar process.

Hash-based attribution

Since no branded name is associated with this sample, hash matching is the primary attribution method. The SHA-256 value can be computed from any copy of the file on disk, including copies in temporary folders or Discord download caches.

Screenshare check guide

1

Process list — unknown processes alongside FiveM

  • With FiveM running, check System Informer for any unknown processes with handles open to FiveM_GTAProcess.exe.
  • External cheats require memory access to function — any unexplained process with such access is suspicious.
2

File hash verification

  • If a suspect file is present on disk, compute its SHA-256.
  • Match against 49C275CB04134AFC50816121930786B2D7843F055C13BAF52626CAAE4C79C321.
3

PcaSVC / AppCompat entry

  • Inspect the AppCompat PcaSVC log for entries from non-system executable paths that coincide with FiveM session times.
4

Prefetch records

  • Check C:\Windows\Prefetch for Prefetch entries from unusual paths executed concurrently with FiveM.
5

Browser and Discord

  • Check browser downloads and Discord cache for the source of suspect files.

Detection summary

Artifact matrix — FiveM external cheatSummary
Artifact                          Survives cleanup?   Check location
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
PcaSVC entry                      Yes                 AppCompat / DPS log
SHA-256 hash match                Yes (file on disk)  File system
External process (if running)     Only while running  Process list / SI
Prefetch record                   Usually             C:\Windows\Prefetch

Defensive material

All indicators and methodology documented here are published for server administrators, DFIR practitioners, and anti-cheat researchers. This material describes detection techniques only. For vulnerability disclosures or to contribute to the research corpus, contact security@clubhouseac.shop.