Multi-level encrypted reversible data hiding using histogram shifting for configurable embedding rate

This paper proposes a reversible data hiding (RDH) scheme for grayscale cover images with highly sensitive cover content. The scheme exploits least complexity in computation by incorporating histogram shifting method to embed secret bits in confused cover, where cover confusion has been implemented using logistic map function. To achieve high capacity or configurable embedding rates, multi-level peak point embedding mechanism is used while embedding the secret bits. Confused cover with embedded data alone or marked stego cover generated using any transposition algorithm for confusion are applied to several statistical, plain text and brute force attacks. Hence we introduced data embedding in confused cover followed by successive multi-level encryption scheme in association with Arnold cat map function and chaotic systems. The proposed system has achieved very high immunity against all kinds of attacks in a cryptosystem, but compromised the separable manner of operation.