2023 · Preprint
Extracting Protocol Format as State Machine via Controlled Static Loop Analysis
The paper extracts protocol message formats from parser code by analyzing parsing loops as state machines. It evaluates format inference and the use of the extracted machines in protocol fuzzers.
Scope and limitations
The analysis targets protocols with constraint-enhanced regular-expression formats parsed by finite-state machines. Reported results include over 90% precision and recall in five minutes, 20%–230% higher fuzzer coverage, and ten additional zero-days detected.
Why it fits this collection
It reverse engineers protocol message formats from parser implementations and uses the recovered state machines to improve fuzzing.
Publication and review details
- Venue
- arXiv
- Status
- Preprint
- Publication / posting date
- May 22, 2023
- Date source
- First arXiv submission date.
- First arXiv submission
- May 22, 2023
- arXiv
- 2305.13483
- Reviewed arXiv version
- v4
The date and venue come from the arXiv record.
Sources reviewed
Reviewed against the paper and its primary sources. Cite the original authors using the linked paper or BibTeX.