Structural similarity based common library detection method for Android

Abstract

The correct classifying and filtering of common libraries in Android applications can effectively improve the accuracy of repackaged application detection. However, the existing common library detection methods barely meet the requirement of large-scale app markets due to the low detection speed caused by their classification rules. Aiming at this problem, a structural similarity based common library detection method for Android is presented. The sub-packages with weak association to main package are extracted as common library candidates from the decompiled APK (Android application package) by using PDG (program dependency graph) method. With package structures and API calls being used as features, the classifying of those candidates is accomplished through coarse and fine-grained filtering. The experimental results by using real-world applications as dataset show that the detection speed of the present method is higher while the accuracy and false positive rate are both ensured. The method is proved to be efficient and precise.