Encryption-assisted reversible data hiding using median prediction and grayscale invariance for high-security image systems
Ajay Kumarkumar.ajay@jaipur.manipal.eduDepartment of Computer Science & EngineeringManipal University JaipurJaipur, Rajasthan, 303007, IndiaView full profile → , *Manmohan SharmaCorresponding authormanmohan.sharma@jaipur.manipal.eduDepartment of Computer Science & EngineeringManipal University JaipurJaipur, Rajasthan, 303007, IndiaView full profile → , Abhishek Singh Rathoreabhishekatujjain@gmail.comDepartment of Computer Science and EngineeringShri Vaishnav Vidyapeeth VishwavidyalayaIndore, Madhya Pradesh, 453111, IndiaView full profile → , Sushma Ghodesushdg@gmail.comDepartment of Computer EngineeringVidhyadeep Institute of Engineering and TechnologyVidhyadeep UniversitySurat, Gujarat, 394110, IndiaView full profile → , Vipin Tiwarivipintiwari1@gmail.comDepartment of Computer Science and EngineeringSymbiosis Institute of Technology (SIT)Symbiosis International (Deemed University)Pune, Maharashtra, 412115, IndiaView full profile →
* Corresponding author · click or hover a name for details
- Received:
- 01 Dec 2025
- Published Online:
- 14 Aug 2026
- Article type:
- Research Article
- Language:
- EN
- Article no.:
- JDMSC-2699
- Pages:
- 3149–3158
Abstract
Ensuring data security and privacy is essential when transmitting sensitive visual information over insecure networks. Reversible Data Hiding (RDH) enables confidential data embedding in digital images while allowing complete recovery of the original image after extraction. However, many existing RDH techniques suffer from visible distortion and vulnerability to steganalysis. This work proposes a security-enhanced RDH framework integrating median prediction and grayscale invariance for imperceptible and fully reversible embedding. Median prediction exploits local pixel correlations, while grayscale invariance preserves intensity consistency, reducing perceptual distortion and improving security. Experiments on benchmark grayscale images (Lena, Barbara, Cameraman, Peppers) achieve PSNR > 40 dB. Statistical metrics including entropy, SNR, and Chi-square analysis confirm strong resistance to detection and data tampering, supporting scalable and secure visual communication implemented in Python.
Keywords
Subject Classifications
References
[1] R. Wang, G. Wu, Q. Wang, L. Yuan, Z. Zhang, and G. Miao, “Reversible data hiding in encrypted images using median edge detector and two’s complement,” Symmetry, vol. 13, no. 6, Art. no. 921 (2021), doi: 10.3390/sym13060921.
[2] Z. Yin, X. She, J. Tang, and B. Luo, “Reversible data hiding in encrypted images based on pixel prediction and multi-MSB planes rearrangement,” arXiv preprint arXiv:2007.03922 (Jul. 2020).
[3] Z. Ni, Y.-Q. Shi, N. Ansari, and W. Su, “Reversible data hiding,” in Proc. IEEE Int. Symp. Circuits and Systems (ISCAS), vol. 2, Bangkok, Thailand, pp. II-912–II-915 (2003), doi: 10.1109/ISCAS.2003.1206204.
[4] W. Hu, S. Li, Y. Zhang, and X. Luo, “High-capacity reversible data hiding based on prediction error histogram shifting and data compression,” Multimedia Tools and Applications, vol. 81, no. 9, pp. 13201–13224 (Mar. 2022), doi: 10.1007/s11042-021-11452-1.
[5] Z. Yin, Y. Peng, and Y. Xiang, “Reversible data hiding in encrypted images based on pixel prediction and bit-plane compression,” arXiv preprint arXiv:1907.06663 (Jul. 2019).
[6] J. Tian, “Reversible data embedding using a difference expansion,” IEEE Transactions on Circuits and Systems for Video Technology, vol. 13, no. 8, pp. 890–896 (Aug. 2003), doi: 10.1109/TCSVT.2003.815962.
[7] D. M. Thodi and J. J. Rodríguez, “Expansion embedding techniques for reversible watermarking,” IEEE Transactions on Image Processing, vol. 16, no. 3, pp. 721–730 (Mar. 2007), doi: 10.1109/TIP.2006.891046.
[8] W. Hong, T.-S. Chen, and H.-S. Chen, “Reversible data hiding for high-quality images using modification of prediction errors,” Journal of Systems and Software, vol. 82, no. 11, pp. 1833–1842 (Nov. 2009), doi: 10.1016/j.jss.2009.06.048.
[9] Y. Qiu, J. Zhang, H. Zhang, X. Liu, and X. Zhao, “Improved CNN prediction based reversible data hiding,” arXiv preprint arXiv:2301.01420 (Jan. 2023).
[10] W. Wang and W. Wang, “HS-based reversible data hiding scheme using median prediction error,” Multimedia Tools and Applications, vol. 79, no. 25–26, pp. 18143–18165 (Jul. 2020), doi: 10.1007/s11042-020-08650-5.
[11] Y. Naik G. R., N. R. Shetty, and V. K. B. Vidyasagar, “A study and analysis of reversible data hiding techniques,” in Proc. 2nd Int. Conf. Adv. Inf. Technol. (ICAIT), Chikkamagaluru, India, pp. 1–6 (Jul. 2024), doi: 10.1109/ICAIT61638.2024.10690366.
[12] R. Kumar, D. Sharma, A. Dua, and K.-H. Jung, “A review of different prediction methods for reversible data hiding,” Journal of Information Security and Applications, vol. 78, Art. no. 103572 (Nov. 2023), doi: 10.1016/j.jisa.2023.103572.
[13] W. Hong, J. Chen, P.-S. Chang, J. Wu, T.-S. Chen, and J. Lin, “A color image authentication scheme with grayscale invariance,” IEEE Access, vol. 9, pp. 6522–6535 (2021), doi: 10.1109/ACCESS.2020.3047270.
[14] G. Li, S. Li, M. Li, X. Zhang, and Z. Qian, “Steganography of steganographic networks,” in Proc. AAAI Conf. Artif. Intell., vol. 37, no. 4, pp. 5178–5186 (2023), doi: 10.1609/aaai.v37i4.25647.
[15] P. Bedi and R. Dhadich, “Performance evaluation of LSB, DCT and DWT for digital image steganography,” International Journal of Computer Applications, vol. 104, no. 2, pp. 1–6 (Oct. 2014), doi: 10.5120/18270-9322.
[16] M. B. Tuieb, H. J. Serteep, and D. M. Abed Ali, “Image steganography using Fresnelet transformations and pre-processed message embedding,” Journal of Discrete Mathematical Sciences & Cryptography, vol. 26, no. 6, pp. 1683–1689 (2023).
[17] J. Singh and A. K. Singh, “Enhancing digital information concealment through DWT-based coefficient alteration and steganographic technique,” Journal of Discrete Mathematical Sciences & Cryptography, vol. 27, no. 2, pp. 283–292 (2024).
[18] A. K. Sahu and R. K. Sharma, “Secure image steganography using hybrid transform domain techniques,” Journal of Discrete Mathematical Sciences & Cryptography, vol. 25, no. 8, pp. 2331–2342 (2022).
