A fuzz test, also known as fuzzing, is a software testing technique used to find vulnerabilities and defects in computer systems, particularly in software applications or operating systems. It involves inputting unexpected or random data, called "fuzz", into the target system to induce crashes, failures, or other undesirable behavior. The main purpose of a fuzz test is to discover flaws that could potentially be exploited by hackers or cause the system to malfunction.
Fuzz testing is performed by creating or utilizing specially designed tools, known as fuzzers, that generate a large variety of inputs, including invalid or unexpected data formats, file types, network protocols, or command sequences. The fuzzers automatically feed these inputs to the target system, observing its behavior and identifying any abnormal or unpredictable responses.
By intentionally introducing unexpected or invalid input, fuzz testing aims to uncover weaknesses such as buffer overflows, format string vulnerabilities, unhandled exceptions, or inadequate error handling. Fuzz tests help developers and security analysts identify and fix potential security vulnerabilities or software bugs that could lead to system crashes, data corruption, unauthorized access, denial-of-service attacks, or other security breaches.
Overall, the primary goal of a fuzz test is to evaluate the robustness, reliability, and security of a software application or system by subjecting it to an extensive array of unexpected and potentially harmful inputs.
