Shaojie Min¹, Yaxiao Luo¹, Kebing Liu¹, Qingyuan Gong², Yang Chen^1,*

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.86, No.2, pp. 1-23, 2026, DOI:10.32604/cmc.2025.073175 - 09 December 2025

Abstract User identity linkage (UIL) across online social networks seeks to match accounts belonging to the same real-world individual. This cross-platform mapping enables accurate user modeling but also raises serious privacy risks. Over the past decade, the research community has developed a wide range of UIL methods, from structural embeddings to multimodal fusion architectures. However, corresponding adversarial and defensive approaches remain fragmented and comparatively understudied. In this survey, we provide a unified overview of both mapping and anti-mapping methods for UIL. We categorize representative mapping models by learning paradigm and data modality, and systematically compare them… More >

Ran Wei^*, Hui Shu

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.86, No.1, pp. 1-23, 2026, DOI:10.32604/cmc.2025.069562 - 10 November 2025

Abstract Transformer-based models have significantly advanced binary code similarity detection (BCSD) by leveraging their semantic encoding capabilities for efficient function matching across diverse compilation settings. Although adversarial examples can strategically undermine the accuracy of BCSD models and protect critical code, existing techniques predominantly depend on inserting artificial instructions, which incur high computational costs and offer limited diversity of perturbations. To address these limitations, we propose AIMA, a novel gradient-guided assembly instruction relocation method. Our method decouples the detection model into tokenization, embedding, and encoding layers to enable efficient gradient computation. Since token IDs of instructions are… More >

Abeer Alhuzali^1,*, Qamar Al-Qahtani¹, Asmaa Niyazi¹, Lama Alshehri¹, Fatemah Alharbi²

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.86, No.1, pp. 1-19, 2026, DOI:10.32604/cmc.2025.069491 - 10 November 2025

Abstract The surge in smishing attacks underscores the urgent need for robust, real-time detection systems powered by advanced deep learning models. This paper introduces PhishNet, a novel ensemble learning framework that integrates transformer-based models (RoBERTa) and large language models (LLMs) (GPT-OSS 120B, LLaMA3.3 70B, and Qwen3 32B) to enhance smishing detection performance significantly. To mitigate class imbalance, we apply synthetic data augmentation using T5 and leverage various text preprocessing techniques. Our system employs a dual-layer voting mechanism: weighted majority voting among LLMs and a final ensemble vote to classify messages as ham, spam, or smishing. Experimental More >

Md Shohel Rana^1,2,3,4,*, Tonmoy Ghosh³, Mohammad Nur Nobi⁵, Anichur Rahman^1,6,*, Andrew H. Sung⁴

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.86, No.1, pp. 1-38, 2026, DOI:10.32604/cmc.2025.069212 - 10 November 2025

Abstract Zero-click attacks represent an advanced cybersecurity threat, capable of compromising devices without user interaction. High-profile examples such as Pegasus, Simjacker, Bluebugging, and Bluesnarfing exploit hidden vulnerabilities in software and communication protocols to silently gain access, exfiltrate data, and enable long-term surveillance. Their stealth and ability to evade traditional defenses make detection and mitigation highly challenging. This paper addresses these threats by systematically mapping the tactics and techniques of zero-click attacks using the MITRE ATT&CK framework, a widely adopted standard for modeling adversarial behavior. Through this mapping, we categorize real-world attack vectors and better understand how… More >

Abeer Alnuaim^*

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.86, No.1, pp. 1-33, 2026, DOI:10.32604/cmc.2025.069110 - 10 November 2025

Abstract The rapid digitalization of urban infrastructure has made smart cities increasingly vulnerable to sophisticated cyber threats. In the evolving landscape of cybersecurity, the efficacy of Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) is increasingly measured by technical performance, operational usability, and adaptability. This study introduces and rigorously evaluates a Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)-Integrated IDS with the utilization of Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), CNN-Long Short Term Memory (LSTM), and Random Forest (RF) against both a Baseline Machine Learning (ML) and a Traditional IDS model, through an extensive experimental framework encompassing many performance metrics, including detection latency, accuracy, alert prioritization, classification… More >

Jaeho Shin¹, Jaekwang Kim^2,*

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.86, No.1, pp. 1-26, 2026, DOI:10.32604/cmc.2025.068767 - 10 November 2025

Abstract Network attacks have become a critical issue in the internet security domain. Artificial intelligence technology-based detection methodologies have attracted attention; however, recent studies have struggled to adapt to changing attack patterns and complex network environments. In addition, it is difficult to explain the detection results logically using artificial intelligence. We propose a method for classifying network attacks using graph models to explain the detection results. First, we reconstruct the network packet data into a graphical structure. We then use a graph model to predict network attacks using edge classification. To explain the prediction results, we… More >

Misbah Anwer^1,*, Ghufran Ahmed¹, Maha Abdelhaq², Raed Alsaqour³, Shahid Hussain⁴, Adnan Akhunzada^5,*

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.86, No.1, pp. 1-15, 2026, DOI:10.32604/cmc.2025.068673 - 10 November 2025

Abstract The exponential growth of the Internet of Things (IoT) has introduced significant security challenges, with zero-day attacks emerging as one of the most critical and challenging threats. Traditional Machine Learning (ML) and Deep Learning (DL) techniques have demonstrated promising early detection capabilities. However, their effectiveness is limited when handling the vast volumes of IoT-generated data due to scalability constraints, high computational costs, and the costly time-intensive process of data labeling. To address these challenges, this study proposes a Federated Learning (FL) framework that leverages collaborative and hybrid supervised learning to enhance cyber threat detection in… More >

Sapan Pandya^*

Journal of Cyber Security, Vol.7, pp. 637-651, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jcs.2025.073670 - 24 December 2025

Abstract Ransomware has evolved from opportunistic malware into a global economic weapon, crippling critical services and extracting billions in illicit revenue. While most research has centered on enterprise networks and healthcare systems, an equally vulnerable frontier is emerging in lottery and betting kiosks—self-service financial Internet of Things (IoT) devices that handle billions of dollars annually. These terminals operate unattended, rely on legacy operating systems, and interact with sensitive transactional data, making them prime ransomware targets. This paper introduces a Resilient Security Framework (RSF) for kiosks under ransomware threat conditions. RSF integrates three defensive layers: (1) prevention… More >

Nader Karmous¹, Wadii Jlassi¹, Mohamed Ould-Elhassen Aoueileyine¹, Imen Filali^2,*, Ridha Bouallegue¹

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.145, No.3, pp. 4363-4393, 2025, DOI:10.32604/cmes.2025.074178 - 23 December 2025

Abstract This paper introduces a robust Distributed Denial-of-Service attack detection framework tailored for Software-Defined Networking based Internet of Things environments, built upon a novel, synthetic multi-vector dataset generated in a Mininet-Ryu testbed using real-time flow-based labeling. The proposed model is based on the XGBoost algorithm, optimized with Principal Component Analysis for dimensionality reduction, utilizing lightweight flow-level features extracted from OpenFlow statistics to classify attacks across critical IoT protocols including TCP, UDP, HTTP, MQTT, and CoAP. The model employs lightweight flow-level features extracted from OpenFlow statistics to ensure low computational overhead and fast processing. Performance was rigorously… More >

Muflih Alhazmi¹, Waqar Ul Hassan², Saba Shaheen³, Mohammed M. A. Almazah⁴, Azmat Ullah Khan Niazi^3,*, Nafisa A. Albasheir⁵, Ameni Gargouri⁶, Naveed Iqbal⁷

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.145, No.2, pp. 1903-1940, 2025, DOI:10.32604/cmes.2025.072973 - 26 November 2025

Abstract This paper proposes a model-based control framework for vehicle platooning systems with second-order nonlinear dynamics operating over switching signed networks, time-varying delays, and deception attacks. The study includes two configurations: a leaderless structure using Finite-Time Non-Singular Terminal Bipartite Consensus (FNTBC) and Fixed-Time Bipartite Consensus (FXTBC), and a leader—follower structure ensuring structural balance and robustness against deceptive signals. In the leaderless model, a bipartite controller based on impulsive control theory, gauge transformation, and Markovian switching Lyapunov functions ensures mean-square stability and coordination under deception attacks and communication delays. The FNTBC achieves finite-time convergence depending on initial More >