Potential Security Flaw in Dave & Buster’s “Find the Flag” Reno Promotion Raises Fairness Concerns
Today, I want to bring attention to a concerning discovery related to the ongoing “Find the Flag” promotion at Dave & Buster’s in Reno. While participating in the event, I—and others—noticed a potential vulnerability that could undermine the integrity of the game.
For more details on the promotion, you can visit the official page: https://www.daveandbusters.com/us/en/find-the-flag/reno/?location=Reno+US+%2C+89502
The Issue at Hand
It appears that the clues for the game are hosted in a way that makes them accessible ahead of schedule. Using standard developer tools in a web browser, knowledgeable users can inspect the webpage’s source code and identify the pattern used for clue URLs. These clues are named according to predictable date sequences, such as clue-2025-07-16.jpg. Because these files are publicly hosted without any server-side restrictions, a user with minimal technical skills could:
- Open browser developer tools while on the clue webpage,
- Inspect source code or network activity,
- Manipulate the URL or file name to access future clues prematurely,
- Reveal tomorrow’s or upcoming clues before they are officially released.
This loophole likely explains why some participants found multiple clues in rapid succession—sometimes within minutes of their release—giving an unfair advantage to those who exploited it.
My Personal Experience
In contrast, I located a flag through genuine deduction and effort, which took considerable time and problem-solving. This discrepancy suggests that the current setup inadvertently favors those with web development knowledge and highlights a potential fairness issue in the game’s current design.
Next Steps and Responsible Action
I’ve already reported these findings directly to Dave & Buster’s Guest Relations and have provided screenshots and technical details to help them understand the nature of the vulnerability. Out of respect for privacy and fairness, I am choosing not to name individuals or publicly identify any suspects at this stage. My hope is that the company will take prompt action to address these security concerns.
Final Thoughts
Security vulnerabilities in promotional events like this can undermine trust and degrade the experience for genuine participants. Transparency and swift mitigation are essential to uphold the integrity of such initiatives. If you’re involved
