Pixel Cipher

A CLI tool for encoding and decoding messages within images via LSB Steganography.

Table of Contents

1. Features
2. Installation
3. Usage
   • Encoding
   • Decoding
4. Options
5. Example Usage
6. Dependencies

Features

• Encode messages into image files.
• Decode hidden messages from image files.
• Encrypt / Decrypt messages with simple XOR algorithm.
• Simple command-line interface.
• Supports color images in .png and .bmp formats.

Installation

1. Clone the repository:

   git clone https://github.com/papengav/pixel-cipher.git
   cd pixelcipher

2. Build the project using CMake:

   mkdir build
   cd build
   cmake ..
   cmake --build .

Usage

Encoding

pxc -e <input-image> -m <message-file> -o <output-image>

Exporting as .jpg will produce unexpected results since lossy compression skews message integrity

Decoding

pxc -d <input.image>

Options

Generic:

• --help : Display help menu.
• -e | --encode-image <filepath> : Specify the input image for encoding.
• -d | --decode-image <filepath> : Specify the input image for decoding.

Encoding:

• -m | --msg <filepath.txt> : Specify the file containing data to encode.
• -o | --output-file <filepath> : Specify the output image after encoding. If none is provided, input image will be overriden.
• --upscale : Allow image upscaing if message exceeds image capacity
• --encrypt <secret-txt> : Encrypt message contents before embedding.

Decoding:

• --decrypt <secret-txt> : Decrypt message contents after decoding

Example

pxc -e img.png -m msg.txt -o encoded.png --encrypt mySecret
pxc -d encoded.png --decrypt mySecret

Dependencies

• OpenCV: Used for image processing.
• Boost Program Options: Used for command-line parsing.