Block-based color image encryption algorithm by a novel memristor chaotic system and new RNA computation

Abstract The security of images is closely related to the protection of information privacy. We proposed a novel 5D memory resistive chaotic system (5D-MRCS), which exhibits good chaotic characteristics. Therefore, we employed it to design an image encryption algorithm aimed at ensuring secure image transmission. To further enhance the complexity of the algorithm and obtain more chaotic sequences, we combine the 5D-MRCS with the Hodgkin-Huxley (HH) model and use this combination in algorithm design. Initially, we combine the plain image with the hash function SHA-384 to devise and generate the secret key. Subsequently, the algorithm determines whether to pad the plain image based on different block size requirements. Then, we use multiple chaotic sequences generated by the 5D-MRCS and HH model to perform the global image permutation operation. Our designed permutation algorithm includes two parts: Block-based permutation and a new pixel-level permutation. Next, the scrambled image undergoes block-based random RNA diffusion, incorporating two newly proposed methods in the RNA operations, ultimately resulting in the ciphertext image. The algorithm’s NPCR, UACI, information entropy, and other security performance metrics are very close to the ideal values, and it possess characteristics such as resistance to differential, cutting, chosen plaintext, and noise attacks. Compared with other algorithms, it still has some advantages across multiple images and demonstrates excellent image encryption performance.