Neural network fragile watermarking with no model performance degradation
On the map: LLM safety and security → Watermarking generated content and models
Abstract (arXiv)
Deep neural networks are vulnerable to malicious fine-tuning attacks such as data poisoning and backdoor attacks. Therefore, in recent research, it is proposed how to detect malicious fine-tuning of neural network models. However, it usually negatively affects the performance of the protected model. Thus, we propose a novel neural network fragile watermarking with no model performance degradation. In the process of watermarking, we train a generative model with the specific loss function and secret key to generate triggers that are sensitive to the fine-tuning of the target classifier. In the process of verifying, we adopt the watermarked classifier to get labels of each fragile trigger. Then, malicious fine-tuning can be detected by comparing secret keys and labels. Experiments on classic datasets and classifiers show that the proposed method can effectively detect model malicious fine-tuning with no model performance degradation.
Key facts. Cited by 7 papers in the map (data through 7 Oct 2026). Placed in Watermarking generated content and models, one of 12 directions in LLM safety and security. Builds on 9 of its 21 references that are in the map. First posted on arXiv 16 Aug 2022.
Builds on
9 of 21 references.
References · 9
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- 2019Towards Explainable Artificial Intelligencecited by 106
- 2021Reversible Watermarking in Deep Convolutional Neural Networks for Integrity Authenticationcited by 17
Built on by
Citing papers per year: 2023: 4; 2024: 2; 2025: 0; 2026: 1.
7 papers.
- 2024Watermarking Techniques for Large Language Models: A Surveycited by 20
- 2023Decision-based iterative fragile watermarking for model integrity verificationcited by 2
- 2023Turn Passive to Active: A Survey on Active Intellectual Property Protection of Deep Learning Modelscited by 2
- 2023SSL-Auth: An Authentication Framework by Fragile Watermarking for Pre-trained Encoders in Self-supervised Learningcited by 1
- 2024A Survey of Fragile Model Watermarkingcited by 1
- 2026Fingerprinting Deep Neural Networks for Ownership Protection: An Analytical Approachcited by 1
- 2023Adaptive White-Box Watermarking with Self-Mutual Check Parameters in Deep Neural Networkscited by 0
- 2026Fingerprinting Deep Neural Networks for Ownership Protection: An Analytical Approach22 Mar 2026
- 2024Watermarking Techniques for Large Language Models: A Survey26 Aug 2024
- 2024A Survey of Fragile Model Watermarking7 Jun 2024
- 2023Turn Passive to Active: A Survey on Active Intellectual Property Protection of Deep Learning Models15 Oct 2023
- 2023Adaptive White-Box Watermarking with Self-Mutual Check Parameters in Deep Neural Networks22 Aug 2023
- 2023SSL-Auth: An Authentication Framework by Fragile Watermarking for Pre-trained Encoders in Self-supervised Learning9 Aug 2023
- 2023Decision-based iterative fragile watermarking for model integrity verification13 May 2023