Improved security in the genetic algorithm-based image steganography scheme using Hilbert space-filling curve

ABSTRACTThis paper presents the security analysis of a recently proposed data hiding scheme by Kanan and Nazeri [A novel image steganography scheme with high embedding capacity and tunable visual image quality based on a genetic algorithm. Expert Syst Appl. 2014;41(14):6123–6130]. Security of the scheme depends upon a secret key\chromosome constructed using a genetic algorithm. The key specifies offsets and patterns for data embedding. By performing the key-sensitivity analysis and exploiting image pixel correlation, it is shown in the present paper that the secret data can be easily revealed. Simulation results demonstrate that just 11 bits out of the 27-bit secret key are sufficient to reveal the data. To overcome the problem, an improvement is suggested in the data embedding pattern that demonstrates high data security. Bitwise analysis of the secret key used in the modified approach exhibits high sensitivity to change in the key.