Color Image Encryption Combines Chaotic Systems With DNA and RNA Computing

Researchers have developed a color image encryption algorithm that integrates dynamic DNA coding, RNA computing, and chaotic sequences to enhance cryptographic security. The study, published in Cluster Computing, addresses critical limitations in existing DNA-based image encryption methods. According to the research, current algorithms suffer from limited operation types and inadequate diffusion mechanisms, which restrict the randomness of diffusion and the unpredictability of encoding rules. The proposed scheme introduces greater cryptographic complexity to strengthen security and provide heightened resistance to decryption.

The proposed encryption framework begins by decomposing the target color image into its RGB channels. To ensure that the encryption depends directly on the original image content, a plaintext-dependent key is generated using the SHA-256 algorithm. Positional scrambling is then carried out across the image using a double-starting cross-zigzag transformation.

Following positional scrambling, a four-wing chaotic system produces a chaotic sequence to guide dynamic DNA encoding and transcription. The algorithm subsequently applies RNA ribozyme cleavage diffusion to alter the data. Once this diffusion process is complete, the encrypted color cipher image is reconstructed through DNA decoding.

Experimental evaluations demonstrate that the proposed algorithm achieves near-ideal information entropy of up to 7.9993. The tests also recorded NPCR values exceeding 99.58% and UACI values close to 33.46%, indicating strong resistance against differential, noise, and cropping attacks. Furthermore, comparative analyses confirm that the proposed scheme outperforms several existing encryption methods in both security and robustness.

Subject of Research: Color image encryption using chaotic systems and biological computing

Article Title: Chaos image encryption algorithm based on RNA calculation and improved zigzag disambiguation

Article References: Yang, T., Shi, C., Zheng, Y., Zhou, C., & Guo, H. (2026). Chaos image encryption algorithm based on RNA calculation and improved zigzag disambiguation. Cluster Computing, 29(16), Article 910. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10586-026-06733-2

Image Credits: AI Generated

DOI: 10.1007/s10586-026-06733-2

Keywords: image encryption, chaotic systems, DNA coding, RNA computing, color images, information entropy, differential attacks, cryptography, Chaos, image, encryption, algorithm