Potential Security Flaw in Dave & Buster’s “Find the Flag” Reno Promotion: Early Access via Developer Tools
Today, I want to bring attention to a possible vulnerability concerning the ongoing “Find the Flag” promotion at Dave & Buster’s in Reno, Nevada.
While participating, I was informed by another user that it might be possible to access upcoming clues ahead of their scheduled release. This was achieved using simple browser developer tools—an approach that doesn’t require advanced technical knowledge. The clues’ URLs follow a straightforward, date-based pattern, and they’re hosted publicly without any apparent server-side restrictions.
This vulnerability allows someone to:
- Open the browser’s developer console on the clues’ webpage,
- Inspect the source files, including images or scripts,
- Manually alter the date parameters in the URL (e.g., changing
clue-2025-07-16.jpgtoclue-2025-07-17.jpg), - Immediately reveal the next day’s clue ahead of schedule.
Such easy access explains why some participants were able to uncover multiple clues within minutes of their official release. Contrasting this, I personally solved one of the clues through genuine deduction, which took considerable effort.
I’ve reported these findings directly to Dave & Buster’s Guest Relations team, including screenshots and a technical breakdown. For now, I’ve chosen not to name specific individuals or publicize details further, hoping to give the company an opportunity to respond and address this potential security issue.
It raises questions about whether this was an oversight or if some might have been intentionally exploiting the loophole to gain an unfair advantage.
Note: I’m not a web developer, so I appreciate any insights or clarifications from those more experienced in cybersecurity.
If you have experienced similar issues or have suggestions on how such vulnerabilities can be mitigated, please share your thoughts. It’s essential for companies to ensure their promotional activities remain fair and secure.
Disclaimer: This blog post is intended to raise awareness about potential security concerns and encourages responsible disclosure and response from involved organizations.
