SteganoCNN: Image steganography with generalization ability based on convolutional neural network

Abstract

Image-to-image steganography is hiding one image in another image. However, hiding two secret images into one carrier image is a challenge today. The application of image steganography based on deep learning in real-life is relatively rare. In this paper, a new Steganography Convolution Neural Network (SteganoCNN) model is proposed, which solves the problem of two images embedded in a carrier image and can effectively reconstruct two secret images. SteganoCNN has two modules, an encoding network, and a decoding network, whereas the decoding network includes two extraction networks. First, the entire network is trained end-to-end, the encoding network automatically embeds the secret image into the carrier image, and the decoding network is used to reconstruct two different secret images. The experimental results show that the proposed steganography scheme has a maximum image payload capacity of 47.92 bits per pixel, and at the same time, it can effectively avoid the detection of steganalysis tools while keeping the stego-image undistorted. Meanwhile, StegaoCNN has good generalization capabilities and can realize the steganography of different data types, such as remote sensing images and aerial images.