Cryptanalysis and improvement of an image encryption algorithm based on hyper-chaotic system and dynamic S-box

Abstract

Recently, an image encryption algorithm based on hyper-chaotic system and dynamic S-box has been proposed by Liu et al. The main idea of the encryption algorithm is utilizing key-streams generated by hyper-chaotic system to permute and substitute plain-image pixels. In this paper, we analyze the potential security problems of the encryption algorithm in detail and propose a chosen-plaintext attack to break the encryption algorithm. The proposed chosen-plaintext attack indicates that the encryption scheme is insecure and not suitable for image secure communication. Based on the result of cryptanalysis, an improved algorithm is proposed to eliminate the potential security problem in Liu’s algorithm. Experimental results show that improved algorithm not only inherits the merits of the original scheme, but also has better cryptographic performances in statistical characteristics, plaintext sensitivity and key sensitivity.