TARU PUBLICATIONS
Journal of Information and Optimization Sciences cover

Journal of Information and Optimization Sciences

(Since 1980)
Hybrid ·Peer-reviewed·ISSN (Online): 2169-0103·ISSN (Print): 0252-2667

WoS  JIF 2026 : 0.4 (Q4)

Powered by:Powered by

Monthly Journal: Publishes theoretical and applied research on topics in information and optimization sciences.

Issues up to 2022 co-published with and available at:Taylor & Francis
submissions@tarupublications.com
Taru Online First Current IssueSpecial IssuesBrowse all Issues
Journal of Information and Optimization Sciences
Open Access Research Article

A multi-layered image encryption framework using Henon chaos and Reframed RSA 

* ,

* Corresponding author · click or hover a name for details

pp. 1–22Online FirstJuly 2026DOI: 10.47974/JIOS-2160XML
Received:
01 Apr 2025
Published Online:
11 Jul 2026
Article type:
Research Article
Language:
EN
Article no.:
JIOS-2160
Pages:
1–22

Abstract

The exponential rise of multimedia data transmission in the digital era highlights the imperative for robust security protocols to safeguard sensitive information against unauthorized access and cyber threats. Conventional cryptographic techniques, while effective for text, often face challenges when applied to image data due to its inherent redundancy and high pixel correlation. To solve these challenges, this research presents a multi-layered encryption framework that integrates steganography for secure embedding, Henon chaotic mapping for shuffling, and a Reframed RSA (RRSA) algorithm for encryption. The framework was assessed using severe security metrics, including entropy analysis, correlation analysis, encryption quality assessment and NIST randomness tests. Results showed that the encrypted images exhibited high randomness, indicating strong diffusion properties. Correlation and histogram analyses confirmed the effective disruption of statistical dependencies and patterns. Additionally, NIST randomness tests validated the robustness of the encryption. Compared to existing methods, the proposed approach demonstrated significant improvements in diffusion, resistance to statistical attacks and computational efficiency. This study presents a scalable and adaptable hybrid encryption solution, addressing key limitations of conventional techniques while ensuring secure multimedia data transmission in an increasingly digital world.

Keywords

ChaoticImage encryptionRSASteganography

Subject Classifications

68M2568P2568P2794A60

References

[1] Z. Man, J. Li, X. Di, Y. Sheng, and Z. Liu, “Double image encryption algorithm based on neural network and chaos,” Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, vol. 152, p. 111318 (Nov. 2021), doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chaos.2021.111318.
[2] S. Kumar, K. K. Raghuvanshi, S. Kumar, and S. Kumar, “Ilmdnacnn: Intertwining logistic map and DNA encoding based Image encryption using CNN,” SSRN Electronic Journal (2022), doi: https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4117315.
[3] Kang, Y. Liang, Y. Wang, and M. V. I, “Color image encryption method based on 2D-variational mode decomposition,” Multimedia tools and applications, vol. 78, no. 13, pp. 17719–17738 (Jan. 2019), doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11042-018-7129-4.
[4] L. Tu, Y. Wang, and C. Zhang, “A new image encryption algorithm based on optimized lorenz chaotic system,” Concurrency and Computation: Practice and Experience, vol. 34, no. 13 (Jul. 2020), doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/cpe.5902.
[5] B. V. Nair, S, Vismaya V, S. S. Muni, and A. Durdu, “Deep learning and chaos: a combined approach to image encryption and decryption,” arXiv (Cornell University) (Jun. 2024), doi: https://doi.org/10.48550/arxiv.2406.16792.
[6] Nurnajmin Qasrina Ann, Dwi Pebrianti, Mohd Fadhil Abas, and Luhur Bayuaji, “A new hybrid image encryption technique using lorenz chaotic system and simulated kalman filter (SKF) algorithm,” Lecture notes in electrical engineering, pp. 441–453 (Jan. 2022), doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-8690-0_40.
[7] S. Das, S. S. Mukherjee, and S. Mandal, “Application of chaotic neural network in cryptography,” International Journal of Computer Applications, vol. 184, no. 13, pp. 60–64 (May 2022), doi: https://doi.org/10.5120/ijca2022922133.
[8] Q. Li, X. Wang, X. Wan, B. Ma, C. Wang, Y. Xian and Y. Shi, “A novel grayscale image steganography scheme based on chaos encryption and generative adversarial networks,” IEEE Access, vol. 8, pp. 168166–168176 (Jan. 2020), doi: https://doi.org/10.1109/access.2020.3021103.
[9] Sanjukta Krishnagopal, S. Pratap, and B. Prakash, “Image encryption and steganography using chaotic maps with a double key protection,” Advances in intelligent systems and computing, pp. 67–78 (Dec. 2014), doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-81-322-2220-0_6.
[10] R. L. Rivest, A. Shamir, and L. Adleman, “A method for obtaining digital signatures and public-key cryptosystems,” Communications of the ACM, vol. 21, no. 2, pp. 120–126 (1978), doi: https://doi.org/10.1145/359340.359342.
[11] M. Mumtaz and L. Ping, “Forty years of attacks on the RSA cryptosystem: A brief survey,” Journal of Discrete Mathematical Sciences and Cryptography, vol. 22, no. 1, pp. 9–29 (Jan. 2019), doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/09720529.2018.1564201.
[12] A. Sahoo, P. Mohanty, and Purna Chandra Sethi, “Image encryption using rsa algorithm,” Intelligent Systems, Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems, vol. 431, pp. 641–652 (Jan. 2022), doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-0901-6_56.
[13] W. Stallings, Cryptography and network security : principles and practice. Hoboken, New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc (2020).
[14] P. N. Lone, D. Singh, and U. H. Mir, “A novel image encryption using random matrix affine cipher and the chaotic maps,” Journal of Modern Optics, vol. 68, no. 10, pp. 507–521 (May 2021), doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/09500340.2021.1924885.
[15] V. Kalaichelvi, P. Meenakshi, P. Vimala Devi, H. Manikandan, P. Venkateswari, and S. Swaminathan, “A stable image steganography: a novel approach based on modified RSA algorithm and 2–4 least significant bit (LSB) technique,” Journal of Ambient Intelligence and Humanized Computing, vol. 12, no. 7, pp. 7235–7243 (Aug. 2020), doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12652-020-02398-w.
[16] K. Zhu, Z. Lin, and Y. Ding, “A new RSA image encryption algorithm based on singular value decomposition,” International Journal of Pattern Recognition and Artificial Intelligence, vol. 33, no. 01, pp. 1954002–1954002 (Jun. 2018), doi: https://doi.org/10.1142/s0218001419540028.
[17] S. Bhargava and M. Mukhija, “ Hide image and text using LSB, DWT and RSA based on image steganography,” ICTACT Journal on Image and Video Processing, vol. 9, no. 3, pp. 1940–1946 (Feb. 2019), doi: https://doi.org/10.21917/ijivp.2019.0275.
[18] O. F. A. Wahab, A. A. M. Khalaf, A. I. Hussein, and H. F. A. Hamed, “Hiding data using efficient combination of RSA cryptography, and compression steganography techniques,” IEEE Access, vol. 9, pp. 31805–31815 (2021), doi: https://doi.org/10.1109/access.2021.3060317.
[19] S. Du and G. Ye, “IWT and RSA based asymmetric image encryption algorithm,” Alexandria Engineering Journal, vol. 66 (Nov. 2022), doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aej.2022.10.066.
[20] Eman Lateef Kadhem and Salwa Shakir Baawi, “A secure and high capacity image steganography approach using huffman coding and RSA encryption,” Journal of Al-Qadisiyah for Computer Science and Mathematics, vol. 15, no. 2 (Sep. 2023), doi: https://doi.org/10.29304/jqcm.2023.15.2.1231.
[21] Q. Xu, K. Sun, and C. Zhu, “A visually secure asymmetric image encryption scheme based on RSA algorithm and hyperchaotic map,” Physica Scripta, vol. 95, no. 3, p. 035223 (Feb. 2020), doi: https://doi.org/10.1088/1402-4896/ab52bc.
[22] R. Lin and S. Li, “An image encryption scheme based on lorenz hyperchaotic system and RSA algorithm,” Security and Communication Networks, vol. 2021, no. 1, pp. 1–18 (Apr. 2021), doi: https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/5586959.
[23] K. Jiao, G. Ye, Y. Dong, X. Huang, and J. He, “Image encryption scheme based on a generalized arnold map and RSA algorithm,” Security and Communication Networks, vol. 2020, no. 1, pp. 1–14 (Jun. 2020), doi: https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/9721675.
[24] Dani Elias Mfungo and X. Fu, “Fractal-based hybrid cryptosystem: enhancing image encryption with RSA, homomorphic encryption, and chaotic maps,” Entropy, vol. 25, no. 11, pp. 1478–1478 (Oct. 2023), doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/e25111478.
[25] Y. Alghamdi and A. Munir, “Image encryption algorithms: A survey of design and evaluation metrics,” Journal of Cybersecurity and Privacy, vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 126–152 (Mar. 2024), doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/jcp4010007.
[26] University of Southern California, “SIPI Image Database,” sipi.usc.edu. https://sipi.usc.edu/database/database.php
[27] J. Nilsson and T. Akenine-Möller, “Understanding SSIM,” arXiv.org, Jun. 29 (2020). https://arxiv.org/abs/2006.13846
[28] R. Parameshachari and S. M. Chandramouli, “Building enhanced chaotic map encryption method for medical information system,” Journal of System and Management Sciences, vol. 11, no. 1 (Mar. 2021), doi: https://doi.org/10.33168/jsms.2021.0111.
[29] L. E. Bassham, A. L. Rukhin, J. Soto, J. R. Nechvatal, M. E. Smid, S. D. Leigh, M. Levenson, M. Vangel, N. A. Heckert, and D. L. Banks, “A statistical test suite for random and pseudorandom number generators for cryptographic applications,” (2010). [Online]. Available: https://www.nist.gov/publications/statistical-test-suite-random-and-pseudorandom-number-generators-cryptographic.
[30] N. N. H. Adenan, A. Nitaj, M. R. K. Ariffin, and N. A. Abu, “Cryptanalysis of a cubic Pell variant of RSA with primes sharing least significant bits,” Journal of Information and Optimization Sciences, vol. 45, no. 5, pp. 1263–1280 (2024), doi: https://doi.org/10.47974/jios-1333.

Views: 68Downloads: 70Citations: 0