Fuzzing, also known as fuzz testing, is a software testing technique that involves inputting invalid, unexpected, or random data into a program to uncover vulnerabilities. It has been proven to be one of the most successful ways to improve software quality. By using fuzzing, developers can identify and fix bugs and security issues in their code before it is released to the public.
Artur Cygan, a renowned expert in the field of software quality, has shared his experience in building and applying fuzzers to various types of software, including barcode scanners and smart contracts. His work highlights the importance of improving software quality to enhance security. By using fuzzing techniques, developers can uncover hidden vulnerabilities in their code that may not be found through traditional testing methods.
One of the key aspects of fuzzing is its relationship with unit tests. Unit tests are designed to test individual components of a program, while fuzzing aims to test the program as a whole by injecting random inputs. By combining unit tests with fuzzing coverage, developers can ensure that their code is thoroughly tested and free of bugs.
In addition to unit tests, developers can also use feedback from fuzzers to nudge them into deeper code paths. This allows for more comprehensive testing of the software and helps to uncover hard-to-find bugs. Furthermore, using feedback from LLMs (Language Model-based Mutator) can help guide a fuzzer into using better inputs for its testing, leading to more effective bug detection.
