# DIAR: Removing Uninteresting Bytes from Seeds in Software Fuzzing

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2112.13297 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2112.13297/

## Key facts

- Cited by 2 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- First posted on arXiv 25 Dec 2021.

## Built on by (most cited first, 2 of 2)

- [GPTFUZZER: Red Teaming Large Language Models with Auto-Generated Jailbreak Prompts](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2309.10253/) (2023)
- [PROMPTFUZZ: Harnessing Fuzzing Techniques for Robust Testing of Prompt Injection in LLMs](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2409.14729/) (2024)

## Abstract (arXiv)

Software fuzzing mutates bytes in the test seeds to explore different behaviors of the program under test. Initial seeds can have great impact on the performance of a fuzzing campaign. Mutating a lot of uninteresting bytes in a large seed wastes the fuzzing resources. In this paper, we present the preliminary results of our approach that aims to improve the performance of fuzzers through identifying and removing uninteresting bytes in the seeds. In particular, we present DIAR, a technique that reduces the size of the seeds based on their coverage. Our preliminary results suggest fuzzing campaigns that start with reduced seeds, find new paths faster, and can produce higher coverage overall.