[SOK] Large Language Models in Security Code Review and Testing
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.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Software Testing and Debugging Techniques
Web Application Security Vulnerabilities
Software Engineering Research
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Journal of Systems Research
- Publisher
- California Digital Library (CDL)
- Volume
- 5
- Issue
- 1
- Publication date
- 23 January 2026