Enhancing image security through an advanced chaotic system with free control and zigzag scrambling encryption

To ensure the secure and efficient transmission of images, we propose a new image encryption algorithm based on a chaotic system with free control and zigzag scrambling. The performance of the chaotic system is analyzed using the phase trajectory, Lyapunov exponents (LEs), and bifurcation diagram, which demonstrate its good ergodicity, complex chaotic behavior, large and continuous chaotic range, and stable Lyapunov exponent spectrum. In addition, based on this chaotic system, this algorithm also provided the security for the protection of image data. The algorithm involves scrambling pixel positions using an improved zigzag algorithm and substituting pixel values. The simulation and analysis results show that the proposed algorithm has high security and low time complexity. It can resist various attacks, including statistical analysis, differential attacks, brute-force attacks, known plaintext attacks, and chosen plaintext attacks. The experimental simulations and its performance tests prove that the proposed scheme is effective and secure in image data.