Potential Vulnerability in Dave & Buster’s “Find the Flag” Event in Reno: Fair Play or Exploit?
In recent developments surrounding Dave & Buster’s ongoing “Find the Flag” promotion in Reno, concerns have been raised about the integrity of the game’s challenge system. During my participation, I discovered a possible loophole that could unfairly advantage players who understand how to manipulate website features.
Details of the Issue
The promotion can be viewed here: Find the Flag – Reno Location.
Several participants reported that it is technically possible to access future clues prematurely. This is due to the way the clues are hosted and presented online. The clues are tied to predictable URL patterns that incorporate dates, such as clue-2025-07-16.jpg. These files appear to be publicly accessible on the server without any robust security measures like authentication or server-side restrictions.
How the Exploit Works
By using basic browser developer tools, a user could:
- Open the clue webpage and inspect its source code.
- Locate the URLs hosting the clues or associated scripts.
- Manually modify the date parameters in the URL to preview clues for future days, e.g., changing
clue-2025-07-16.jpgtoclue-2025-07-17.jpg. - Access the upcoming clues immediately, bypassing the intended chronological reveal.
This method allows players to uncover the next clues well before their designated time, explaining how some flags have been found in minutes after posting.
My Response and Next Steps
After realizing this, I reported the vulnerability directly to Dave & Buster’s Guest Relations, including detailed screenshots and technical explanations. I’ve also contacted the phone number listed on the back of a found flag, trusting the company to address this issue appropriately.
It’s important to clarify that I’ve chosen not to publicly identify anyone involved or make accusations at this stage. My goal is to give the affected organization the opportunity to investigate and resolve the issue before it becomes a broader concern.
Final Thoughts
This situation raises questions about website security and fair play in promotional activities. Whether this was a simple oversight or a deliberate attempt to gain an unfair advantage remains uncertain. Nonetheless, it underscores the importance of implementing proper security
