Potential Security Flaw in Dave & Buster’s “Find the Flag” Reno Promotion: Could the Game Be Unfairly Tilted?
In recent observations, a concerning vulnerability has come to light concerning the ongoing “Find the Flag” promotion at Dave & Buster’s in Reno. This popular interactive activity invites participants to uncover clues leading to hidden flags, but recent findings suggest the game’s integrity might be compromised.
While engaging in the game, a whistleblower within the community discovered that it’s possible to access upcoming clues prematurely through basic developer tools. The mechanism behind this exploit hinges on the predictable structure of the clue URLs—specifically, that they follow a date-based naming convention. Notably, these clues appear to be hosted publicly without robust server-side security measures, making them accessible to anyone with minimal technical knowledge.
The process to reveal future clues involves:
- Opening the site’s webpage and activating browser developer tools,
- Inspecting the page’s source code or network activity,
- Altering the date component in the clue URL (for instance, changing “clue-2025-07-16.jpg” to “clue-2025-07-17.jpg”),
- and immediately viewing the next day’s hint ahead of schedule.
This loophole helps explain how some participants managed to uncover multiple flags within mere minutes of their release—a stark contrast to the genuine effort required to solve the clues legitimately. One participant shared that acquiring a flag through honest deduction took considerable time and thought, unlike the rapid captures facilitated by exploiting the URL pattern.
The concerned individual has contacted Dave & Buster’s guest relations team, providing detailed technical explanations and screenshots, and has refrained from publicly naming anyone or exposing specifics. The intent is to offer the company an opportunity to address and rectify this security concern before it affects the fairness of the game and the experience of genuine players.
This situation raises important questions about the security measures in place for such promotional activities. Is this simply a case of oversight, or is there a deeper issue that could be exploited further?
As this story develops, it highlights the importance of securing online game components against predictable patterns and public exposures. We will continue to monitor any updates from Dave & Buster’s and encourage responsible participation and fair play.
Disclaimer: The information shared here is based on community observations and technical assessments. If you are participating in similar promotions, always ensure to follow official rules and guidelines.
