Vulnerability of pixel-value differencing steganography to histogram analysis and modification for enhanced security

  • Authors:
  • Xinpeng Zhang;Shuozhong Wang

  • Affiliations:
  • School of Communication and Information Engineering, Shanghai University, 149 Yanchang Road, Shanghai 200072 PR China;School of Communication and Information Engineering, Shanghai University, 149 Yanchang Road, Shanghai 200072 PR China

  • Venue:
  • Pattern Recognition Letters
  • Year:
  • 2004

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Abstract

The pixel-value differencing (PVD) steganography can embed a large amount of secret bits into a still image with high imperceptibility as it makes use of the characteristics of human vision sensitivity. However, a loophole exists in the PVD method. Unusual steps in the histogram of pixel differences reveal the presence of a secret message. An analyst can even estimate the length of hidden bits from the histogram. To enhance security, a modified scheme is proposed which avoids occurrence of the above-mentioned steps in the pixel difference histogram while preserving the advantage of low visual distortion of the PVD. The histogram-based steganalysis is therefore defeated.