An effective multiple-image encryption algorithm based on 3D cube and hyperchaotic map

In accordance with the principle that the cube graph can be obtained by superimposing planes, a multiple-image encryption scheme based on hyperchaotic map and 3D cube is designed in this paper. Multiple images are segmented by columns, and a regular cube is obtained by stacking multiple fixed-size planes. Each stacked plane is considered as a stacked plane of the cube along the z-axis direction. Firstly, each tangent plane is rotated by different angles in the counterclockwise direction and then DNA encoded, followed by face swap, row swap, and column swap in turn. Then, the DNA-encoded image cube is subjected to DNA addition with the chaotic cube. Finally, two DNA sequences are randomly selected for DNA mutation. The mutated cube is decoded into a digital cube by DNA and the multiple-image encryption algorithm is completed. Theoretically, the cube used in the encryption process can be infinitely large, which means that the number and the size of 2D images that can be encrypted can be unrestricted. Experimental simulations and performance tests prove that the proposed image encryption scheme is effective and secure. (C) 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of King Saud University.