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CypherFuzzer: A Tool for Testing Access Control in Graph Databases

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference proceedings › peer-review

Abstract

The increasing adoption of graph databases in real-world applications highlights the need for robust mechanisms to secure sensitive data stored within these systems. Access control plays a critical role in ensuring data security, and its implementation must be thoroughly tested to prevent unauthorized access and potential vulnerabilities. In this work, we present CypherFuzzer, a novel tool designed to test access control mechanisms in graph databases. By leveraging fuzzing techniques, CypherFuzzer generates semantically valid Cypher queries with the goal to systematically evaluate the query rewriting approaches for enforcing attribute-based access control (ABAC). The tool supports diverse fuzzers for query generation to enhance the relevance and variety of test cases. Our evaluations reveal that CypherFuzzer effectively generates queries that are useful for testing ABAC policies. Despite its strengths, the tool has some limitations related to producing meaningful values for specific attributes or its reliance on randomness. Nevertheless, CypherFuzzer represents a significant step forward in the field of automated security testing of access control mechanisms for graph databases.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationFuture Data and Security Engineering - 12th International Conference, FDSE 2025, Proceedings
EditorsTran Khanh Dang, Josef Küng, Tai M. Chung
Place of PublicationSingapore
Publisher Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.
Pages93-109
Number of pages17
Edition1
ISBN (Print)978-981-95-4721-0
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2026

Publication series

NameCommunications in Computer and Information Science
Volume2708 CCIS
ISSN (Print)1865-0929
ISSN (Electronic)1865-0937

Fields of science

  • 102022 Software development
  • 102001 Artificial intelligence
  • 102006 Computer supported cooperative work (CSCW)
  • 102025 Distributed systems
  • 502007 E-commerce
  • 505002 Data protection
  • 102010 Database systems
  • 102035 Data science
  • 102033 Data mining
  • 102 Computer Sciences
  • 506002 E-government
  • 102019 Machine learning
  • 102028 Knowledge engineering
  • 102016 IT security
  • 202007 Computer integrated manufacturing (CIM)
  • 102015 Information systems
  • 509018 Knowledge management
  • 102014 Information design

JKU Focus areas

  • Sustainable Development: Responsible Technologies and Management
  • Digital Transformation

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