Title: Potential Security Flaw in Dave & Buster’s “Find the Flag” Reno Promotion

Recently, I came across an issue concerning the ongoing “Find the Flag” promotional event at Dave & Buster’s in Reno. This discovery raises questions about how securely the clues are being protected and whether the game might be unintentionally giving away future clues to savvy participants.

Overview of the Situation

While engaging with the activity, another user pointed out that it’s possible to access upcoming clues prematurely using basic web browser developer tools. The clue URLs follow a predictable pattern based on dates, such as clue-YYYY-MM-DD.jpg, and these files are hosted on the website without apparent server-side security measures.

How the Exploit Works

By inspecting the webpage’s source code through browser developer tools, an individual can:

• View the images and scripts loading on the page,
• Alter URL parameters—specifically the date segment—to jump ahead to future clues,
• Access clues that should only be available on subsequent days.

This technique requires minimal technical knowledge but results in the ability to reveal the next day’s hints well before their official release. Such capability explains why some clues are discovered within minutes of their intended reveal, giving certain players an unfair advantage.

My Experience and Response

I’ve reported this issue directly to Dave & Buster’s Guest Relations, including screenshots and a detailed technical explanation. I’ve also contacted the phone number listed on the back of the clue for further communication. My goal is to give the company an opportunity to address this vulnerability before it undermines the integrity of the promotional event.

Reflections and Concerns

While I’m not a web developer, I recognize that this appears to be a significant oversight in the security of the puzzle clues. Whether it’s due to an innocent mistake or a deeper internal issue, it highlights the importance of better protecting digital assets, especially in promotions that rely on fairness and challenging gameplay.

Final Thoughts

It’s certainly possible that this is unintended—a simple misconfiguration rather than malicious intent. However, if left unaddressed, it could lead to an uneven experience for participants and damage trust in the promotion’s fairness.

I’ll be watching to see if Dave & Buster’s takes action to secure the clues. If you’re participating, stay vigilant, and let’s hope they fix this soon.

*Disclaimer: This post aims to highlight potential security concerns and advocates for prompt responsible action. I do not intend to accuse anyone