System steganalysis with automatic fingerprint extraction

PLoS One. 2018 Apr 25;13(4):e0195737. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0195737. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

This paper tries to tackle the modern challenge of practical steganalysis over large data by presenting a novel approach whose aim is to perform with perfect accuracy and in a completely automatic manner. The objective is to detect changes introduced by the steganographic process in those data objects, including signatures related to the tools being used. Our approach achieves this by first extracting reliable regularities by analyzing pairs of modified and unmodified data objects; then, combines these findings by creating general patterns present on data used for training. Finally, we construct a Naive Bayes model that is used to perform classification, and operates on attributes extracted using the aforementioned patterns. This technique has been be applied for different steganographic tools that operate in media files of several types. We are able to replicate or improve on a number or previously published results, but more importantly, we in addition present new steganalytic findings over a number of popular tools that had no previous known attacks.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Bayes Theorem
  • Pattern Recognition, Automated / methods*

Grants and funding

This work was supported by Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Grant EP/N024192/1 (J.C.). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.