Potential Security Vulnerability in Dave & Buster’s “Find the Flag” Promotion in Reno
Today, I want to bring attention to a concerning find related to the ongoing “Find the Flag” promotional event at Dave & Buster’s in Reno.
You can view the promotion here: https://www.daveandbusters.com/us/en/find-the-flag/reno/?location=Reno+US+%2C+89502
During participation, I was contacted by another attendee who uncovered a method to access upcoming clues ahead of schedule. Utilizing basic browser developer tools, they discovered that the URLs containing the clues follow a predictable, date-based naming convention. Furthermore, these clue files appear to be hosted publicly without any server-side access restrictions. This flaw potentially allows anyone with minimal technical knowledge to:
- Open developer tools on the clue webpage
- Inspect network sources or code
- Manually modify the URL or request parameters to change the date
- View future clues before they are officially released
This vulnerability could explain how multiple users obtained all the flags within a matter of minutes after their official release, undermining the integrity of the game. In contrast, I obtained one of the flags through legitimate deduction, which required more effort and analysis.
Out of an abundance of caution, I have already reported this issue directly to Dave & Buster’s Guest Relations, including detailed screenshots and technical insights via text message. I am choosing to refrain from publicly naming individuals or accusations at this stage, aiming to give the company an opportunity to investigate and address the problem.
This incident raises questions about the security measures in place for online clues and how such vulnerabilities could affect fairness. Could this have been an oversight, or is there a possibility that insiders might be exploiting the system to assist friends?
While I don’t possess a deep background in web development, I believe transparency and proactive mitigation are essential to preserving fairness in promotional activities.
Stay vigilant, and I hope this serves as a reminder of the importance of robust online security even in casual promotional events.
