Binary-Block Embedding for Reversible Data Hiding in Encrypted Images

Introduction

This paper first introduces a binary-block embedding (BBE) method to embed secret data in a binary image. Using BBE, we propose an algorithm for reversible data hiding in encrypted images (BBE-RDHEI). It uses BBE to embed binary bits in lower bit-planes of the original image into its higher bit-planes such that the lower bit-planes can be reserved for hiding secret data in subsequent processes. BBE-RDHEI employs a bit-level scrambling process after secret data embedding to spread embedded secret data to the entire marked encrypted image so that it can prevent secret data from loss. A security key design mechanism is proposed to enhance the security level of BBE-RDHEI. The processes of BBE-RDHEI are fully reversible. The secret data and original image can be reconstructed independently and separately.

Figure 2. Framework of BBE-RDHEI

Research highlight

Experiments and comparisons show that BBE-RDHEI

  1. has an embedding rate nearly twice larger than the state-of-the-art algorithms
  2. generates the marked decrypted images with high quality
  3. is able to withstand the brute-force, differential, noise and data loss attacks.

Experimental results

Reference

Shuang Yi, and Yicong Zhou*, “Binary-Block Embedding for Reversible Data Hiding in Encrypted Images,” Signal Processing, vol. 133, pp. 40–51, 2017.