Usage of analytic hierarchy process for steganographic inserts detection in images

This article presents a new method of image analysis with steganographic inserts based on hierarchy analysis method. Images with applied algorithm of replacing the least significant bit (LSB) are investigated. Detection is performed by dividing the image into layers and making an analysis of zero-layer of adjacent bits for every bit. First-layer and second-layer are analyzed too. Hierarchies analysis method is used for making decision if current bit is changed. Weighting coefficients as part of the analytic hierarchy process are formed on the values of bits. Then a matrix of corrupted pixels is generated. Visualization of matrix with corrupted pixels allows to determine size, location and presence of the embedded message. Computer experiment was performed. Message was embedded in a bounded rectangular area of the image. This method demonstrated efficiency even at low filling container, less than 10%. Widespread statistical methods are unable to detect this steganographic insert. The location and size of the embedded message can be determined with an error which is not exceeding to five pixels.