An image encryption scheme using lightweight bit-level confusion and cascade cross circular diffusion

Recently, quite a lot of chaos-based image encryption schemes have been proposed. Most of them adopt the traditional permutation and diffusion operations. The drawbacks are: (1) the architecture is not sensitive to changes in the plain-image; (2) they are insecure upon chosen/known plain-image attack. Due to the favorable properties of bit-level permutation, we propose a lightweight bit-level confusion and cascade cross circular diffusion to enhance the security of the cryptosystem and to reduce the computation redundancy in traditional architectures. Simulations have been carried out and the results demonstrate the superior security and high efficiency of the proposed scheme.