An efficient reduced set brute force attack technique for a particular steganographic tool using vername algorithm

In this paper, we present a steganalytic method that can reliably extract messages hidden in 24-bit BMP files using a publicly available steganographic tool. The tool uses one of the four encryption algorithms on given text to be steganographed. The algorithms are namely Vername [2], XOR, Gost [3], 3-Way [4]. In the current context, we have done total steganalysis on messages hidden by the steganographic tool using Vername. The key element of the method is reverse engineering followed by brute force attack using parallel programming. At first the reverse engineering is done using the IDA Pro reverse engineering tool [9]. This reveals the inherent work flow of the steganographic tool and encryption done by Vername. The simulated algorithm is then developed which reveals the hidden encrypted data in the LSB plane of 24-bit BMP. Then, for reconstruction of the encrypted message dictionary attack or brute force attack is needed. For efficient brute force attack / dictionary attack, parallel computing is implemented for revealing the encrypted message faster.