EAC Integrity Violation on Linux/Proton – ntdll.dll flagged as unknown game file (3.0 Experimental)

[Hellhound1408]

Version

3.0 latest experimental

Platform

Linux

Summary:
Easy Anti-Cheat reports an Integrity Violation and flags Proton's ntdll.dll as an unknown game file. After the warning appears, EAC-protected servers cannot be joined. Singleplayer continues to work normally.

Game Version:
7 Days to Die 3.0 Experimental

Platform:
PC

Operating System:
Bazzite Linux

Kernel Version:
7.0.9-ogc3.2.fc44.x86_64

GPU:
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 Laptop GPU

NVIDIA Driver:
610.43.02

Game Mode:
Singleplayer and Multiplayer Client

Mods:
None

Did you validate game files?
Yes

Did you create a fresh Proton prefix?
Yes

Status:
NEW

Bug Description:

When running the Windows version of 7 Days to Die through Proton on Linux, EAC reports the following error shortly after entering the World Generation Settings menu:

"EAC: INTEGRITY VIOLATION

Unknown game file (.../files/lib/wine/x86_64-windows/ntdll.dll)

You will not be able to play on EAC protected servers during this game session."

After this message appears, joining EAC-protected servers fails with:

"EAC REQUIRED

You are trying to connect to an Anti Cheat protected server without Anti Cheat protection enabled.

Please restart the game with Anti Cheat protection enabled and connect again."

Singleplayer worlds can still be created and played normally.

Reproduction Steps:

1. Launch the Windows version of 7 Days to Die on Linux using Proton.
2. Start the game with EAC enabled.
3. Navigate from the Main Menu to the New Game / World Generation Settings menu.
4. Wait a short period of time.
5. Observe the EAC Integrity Violation popup.
6. Attempt to join an EAC-protected multiplayer server.

Actual Result:

• EAC reports Proton's ntdll.dll as an unknown game file.
• EAC appears to disable itself for the current session.
• Joining EAC-protected servers becomes impossible.
• Singleplayer continues to function normally.

Expected Result:

• EAC should initialize correctly.
• Proton runtime files should not be flagged as unknown game files.
• EAC-protected servers should be joinable.

Troubleshooting Performed:

• Verified game files through Steam.
• Deleted and recreated the Proton prefix.
• Retested with:
  • Proton Experimental
  • Proton 10.0-4
  • Proton Hotfix
• Issue reproduced identically on all tested Proton versions.

Additional Notes:

The issue specifically references:

files/lib/wine/x86_64-windows/ntdll.dll

The filename changes only according to the selected Proton version path, but the reported file is always Proton's ntdll.dll.

I also found reports from other Linux users describing similar EAC/Proton behavior dating back to Alpha 21. Those reports describe EAC integrity violations involving Proton runtime files and the inability to join EAC-protected servers while singleplayer remains functional. The issue appears to still be reproducible in 3.0 Experimental.

Relevant Proton Log Snippet:

Loaded L"S:\common\7 Days To Die\7DaysToDie_EAC.exe" at 0000000140000000: native

Loaded L"C:\windows\system32\ntdll.dll" at 00006FFFFFF30000: builtin

The EAC launcher appears to start successfully, but EAC subsequently reports the Proton ntdll.dll as an Integrity Violation.

The Reason for me trying to play 7 Days 2 Die under Proton and the Windows version is that under the native Linux version of 7 Days 2 Die Nvidias DSLL not being supported.

 

[AWESOMELANDO]

Hi there, thanks so much for reporting this. I was able to replicate the issue using my steam deck and have filed an internal ticket for our team. This might unfortunately be an EAC issue so I'm not sure if we'll be able to fix it on our end but we'll look into it at least and try find a fix. Thanks again!