Microsoft has been liberally pressing the big, red "BAN PLAYER" button at its Xbox Live headquarters this week, with a total of 23,000 players being issued with 24-hour punishments after taking advantage of an exploit that allowed them to gain unauthorised access to Activision’s and Infinity Ward’s recently launched (and restricted) Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare multiplayer beta.

Sneaky gamers figured out that players with valid beta keys were able to sign into the trial through another console, download the beta for said machine and allow illicit access to the upcoming modern warfare simulator. Naughty, naughty. Behold the mighty voice of Microsoft via Xbox-Scene:

"The current POR is to issue a 24-hour console lockout that will prevent these 23k users from using their consoles to sign in to LIVE. These users will also receive a message in the dash with an explanation as to why their console has been locked out for 24 hours for violating the LIVE TOU [Terms of Use] and a warning that more severe actions may be taken if they attempt a similar action in the future [console could be banned permanently, etc.]."

Gulp. That's us told, then. Bet that illicit gameplay time was worth it though - even if just for bragging rights.