Enhanced image encryption technique utilizing chaotic mapping and dynamic DNA encoding
Tianbao Xue, Quanxiang Lan · 2024
Chaotic image encryption technology has become a key method for safeguarding sensitive image data and has garnered significant attention and research recently. To address the issues of limited key space and low encryption efficiency in conventional image encryption methods, this paper introduces a novel chaotic image encryption algorithm. This algorithm leverages Chen and Logistic-Tent chaotic mappings along with dynamic DNA encoding rules. Initially, the SHA-256 algorithm is employed to produce a 256-bit hash sequence, which serves as the initial key for the chaotic mappings. The chaotic sequences generated by these mappings are then used to rearrange the rows and columns of image pixels, while dynamically chosen DNA encoding rules are applied to encode each pixel. Following this, the DNA-encoded image matrix is XORed with the chaotic sequence matrix to produce a scrambled image matrix. In the final step, the encoded ciphertext image is decoded using DNA, and minor plaintext alterations are diffused across the entire ciphertext through multi-level diffusion processes. This approach enhances the complexity and security of the encryption method. Experimental results indicate that the proposed algorithm effectively withstands various types of attacks while maintaining high encryption efficiency, demonstrating promising application potential and practical value.