Potential Security Oversight in Dave & Buster’s Reno “Find the Flag” Promotion
Today, I want to bring attention to a possible vulnerability I noticed in the current “Find the Flag” challenge hosted by Dave & Buster’s in Reno, Nevada.
You can view the promotion details here: https://www.daveandbusters.com/us/en/find-the-flag/reno/?location=Reno+US+%2C+89502
During my participation, I was alerted by another participant who discovered that the clues for the game could be accessed prematurely through common web browser developer tools. The system appears to utilize a simple, predictable URL pattern based on dates for each clue, with these files hosted openly without restrictions. This setup potentially allows anyone with basic technical knowledge to:
- Open the webpage’s developer console,
- Examine the source code or image sources,
- Manually modify the URL or parameters to reveal future clues,
- Access upcoming hints before their official release.
This vulnerability could explain why some users managed to uncover multiple flags within minutes of their release—far faster than it would take through legitimate deduction. I want to emphasize that I personally found one of the flags through honest effort and deduction.
I have already contacted Dave & Buster’s Guest Relations team, providing them with detailed information and screenshots, including technical insights about how the clues are hosted. I’m choosing to hold off on publicly identifying anyone involved, preferring to give the company an opportunity to address this issue.
This raises questions about whether this was an oversight or a deliberate setup—perhaps an unintentional leak or a malicious advantage. It’s important for organizations running such interactive promotions to implement proper security measures to ensure fairness and prevent exploitation.
Stay informed, stay cautious, and I hope this helps highlight the importance of securing online event components against easy-to-exploit vulnerabilities.
Note: I’m not a web security expert but wanted to share this observation to promote awareness and encourage responsible management of online contests.
