An algorithm for identifying steganographic inserts of the LSB-replacement type based on the hierarchy analysis

The article proposes an algorithm for identifying steganographic inserts implemented as a replacement of the least significant bits. The proposed algorithm is based on the hierarchy analysis method. The layers of the least significant bits of the blue component are considered. The embedding areas are determined using the taxonomy algorithm. A preprocessing algorithm is applied in order to increase efficiency in areas that contain gradient fill. The scientific novelty lies in the development of an algorithm for steganographic analysis of the LSB replacement method with low filling of the container, based on a comparative analysis of several image layers using the hierarchy analysis method, characterized in that the selected decision criteria provide the opportunity to take into account the structure of the original container image that is stored in higher bit layers and due to this it is possible to form a map of suspicious pixels, increasing efficiency embedded messages.A computer experiment was performed. For artificial images with gradient and uniform fill, the proposed algorithm makes it possible to determine on average 91% of the replaced bits, while false positives are no more than 1%. The position of the embedded bits can be determined by matching the decision matrix with the initial image.The proposed algorithm is effective for the small size of the embedded message, in contrast to the previously created algorithms.

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