[SOK] Large Language Models in Security Code Review and Testing

In this paper, we systematically present and discuss practical applications of Large Language Models (LLMs) in software security, concretely in code vulnerability detection, fuzz testing, and exploit generation. Measurements of various research outcomes are analyzed to answer questions about the performance of LLMs in those fields, including a comparison with tools that follow traditional approaches. In addition, the drawbacks and a future outlook, along with a delineation of technical challenges, are provided. Challenges include the cost- and time-intensive training of LLMs, the limited context-length understanding of program code, the high false positive rate due to hallucinations, and keeping the data up-to-date so that definitions of newly detected vulnerabilities are covered.

Authors

Publication Details

Journal
Journal of Systems Research
Published
2026-01-23
DOI
https://doi.org/10.5070/sr3.62177
Primary Topic
Software Testing and Debugging Techniques
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
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article

[SOK] Large Language Models in Security Code Review and Testing

Edin Beljulji
Journal of Systems Research
Software Testing and Debugging Techniques
article

[SOK] Large Language Models in Security Code Review and Testing

Edin Beljulji
article en

Abstract

In this paper, we systematically present and discuss practical applications of Large Language Models (LLMs) in software security, concretely in code vulnerability detection, fuzz testing, and exploit generation. Measurements of various research outcomes are analyzed to answer questions about the performance of LLMs in those fields, including a comparison with tools that follow traditional approaches. In addition, the drawbacks and a future outlook, along with a delineation of technical challenges, are provided. Challenges include the cost- and time-intensive training of LLMs, the limited context-length understanding of program code, the high false positive rate due to hallucinations, and keeping the data up-to-date so that definitions of newly detected vulnerabilities are covered.

Journal of Systems ResearchVol. 5(1)
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Software Testing and Debugging Techniques
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