Potential Security Concern in Dave & Buster’s “Find the Flag” Campaign in Reno
Today, I want to bring attention to a possible security vulnerability associated with the current “Find the Flag” promotional event hosted by Dave & Buster’s in Reno, Nevada.
For more details, check out their official page: Find the Flag Reno.
During participation, I was alerted by another participant about a technical aspect that could potentially undermine the fairness of the game. It appears that the clues for the game are stored in a manner that is not fully secured, which might allow savvy users to access future hints prematurely.
The clues are linked via URLs that follow a predictable date-based pattern, with files hosted publicly and without additional server-side access controls. By using standard developer tools in a web browser, a user with minimal technical knowledge can:
- Inspect network requests or source code on the clue webpage,
- Alter the date component of clues in the URL (for example, changing “clue-2025-07-16.jpg” to “clue-2025-07-17.jpg”),
- Access upcoming clues before their official reveal.
This loophole could enable participants to uncover subsequent clues ahead of schedule, which might explain why some individuals managed to find multiple flags within minutes of their release. Conversely, honest players relying solely on deduction faced much greater difficulty.
I have already contacted Dave & Buster’s Guest Relations team with detailed findings, including screenshots and technical explanations, and am waiting for their response. My intention is to give the company an opportunity to address this potential issue before it causes further complications or unfair advantages.
While I haven’t named any specific individuals or publicly exposed fair play concerns, I believe transparency is important. It’s worth considering whether this was an oversight or perhaps a tactic used by some to assist friends in the game.
Please note: I do not possess advanced web development skills, but I felt it necessary to share these observations for the sake of fairness and integrity in the game.
Stay tuned for updates, and I hope the organizers will implement necessary adjustments to ensure an equitable experience for everyone participating.
