Proposal to strength image encryption using blockchain and hybrid chaotic-DNA techniques

Abstract

This research proposes a novel image encryption framework that synergizes blockchain technology with a hybrid approach combining chaotic systems and DNA-based encoding. The presented method begins by decomposing a color image into its red, green, and blue channels. Each channel is then converted from binary to DNA sequences using a predefined mapping, followed by algebraic DNA operations to further obscure the data. The DNA-encoded image is reconstructed and subjected to the Rossler chaotic system, which, using certain initial values and constants, produces three normalized chaotic sequences. These sequences are generated numerically via the Runge–Kutta method. The chaotic sequences are then utilized to permute the image’s rows and columns and to generate additional keys for DNA-based XOR operations. After encryption, the SHA-256 hash of the encrypted image is computed, and the image is uploaded to the Inter Planetary File System (IPFS) to obtain a unique content identifier. All relevant metadata, including the content identifier, hash value, encryption keys, and parameters, are securely stored on a blockchain through a smart contract, ensuring data integrity and non-repudiation. The decryption process reverses these steps to restore the original image. Experimental results confirm the system’s effectiveness, demonstrating high distortion between original and encrypted images and strong resistance to various cryptanalytic attacks. Experimental results show that; MSE values (ranging roughly between 950 and 1300) and PSNR values (approximately 13–15 dB) and some of other measurements indicate a high level of distortion between the original and encrypted images.