Comprehensive Survey Maps Challenges in Fuzzing Open-Source Operating Systems

Global: Comprehensive Survey Maps Challenges in Fuzzing Open-Source Operating Systems

Researchers from a multinational team have released a detailed survey that examines fuzzing techniques applied to open-source operating systems. The work, posted on arXiv and last revised on January 19, 2026, aims to illuminate security vulnerabilities that arise from the inherent complexity of modern OS architectures.

Scope of the Survey

The paper reviews state-of-the-art methods across four major OS components: the kernel, file systems, device drivers, and hypervisors. By organizing these techniques according to the general fuzzing workflow, the authors provide a unified framework that spans the traditionally fragmented literature.

Methodology and Classification

Employing a systematic literature review, the authors evaluated 3,205 KB of source material from the initial submission on February 17, 2025 (v1) through the latest 448 KB revision (v3). Each study was categorized based on input generation, execution monitoring, and bug triage, allowing for consistent comparison across diverse research efforts.

Key Challenges Identified

The survey highlights several obstacles unique to operating-system fuzzing, including deep kernel interactions, multi-layered system calls, and the need for precise state management when testing drivers and hypervisors. These factors contribute to higher false‑positive rates and increased difficulty in reproducing discovered bugs.

Future Research Directions

Among the recommendations, the authors call for improved instrumentation techniques, smarter input mutation strategies, and better integration of symbolic execution to reduce coverage gaps. They also suggest collaborative benchmarking platforms to standardize evaluation metrics.

Implications for Cybersecurity

By consolidating current knowledge and outlining open problems, the survey offers a valuable reference for security engineers, academic researchers, and open-source maintainers seeking to strengthen the resilience of operating systems against emerging threats.

This report is based on information from arXiv, licensed under Academic Preprint / Open Access. Based on the abstract of the research paper. Full text available via ArXiv.