A map-based image steganography scheme for RGB images

Abstract

Majority of research in steganography focuses on hiding the secret information into the cover directly. The payload can be more secured by not embedding the secret in the cover at all. Instead, a partial information about the secret may be embedded which can be used for later payload realisation. This typically appears analogous to random noise and cannot regenerate the payload without a key. Common approaches to achieve such information include pre-embedding payload encryption. However, simpler cover-secret map-based techniques can also be thought of where such information is generated with optimal resource utilisation. This paper proposes a map-based data hiding scheme in images through image realisation steganography. The proposed technique works for colour and grey images. It also incorporates a multi-stage decoding key and there have been efforts to ensure that the technique conforms to high fidelity of the stego image and performs decently against steganalysis attacks.