On the security of a chaotic encryption scheme: problems with computerized chaos in finite computing precision

Zhou et al. have proposed a chaotic encryption scheme, which is based on a kind of computerized piecewise linear chaotic map (PWLCM) realized in finite computing precision. In this paper, we point out that Zhou's encryption scheme is act secure enough from strict cryptographic viewpoint. The reason lies in the dynamical degradation of the computerized piecewise linear chaotic map employed by Zhou et al. The dynamical degradation of the computerized chaos induces many weak keys to cause large information leaking of the plaintext. In addition, we also discuss three simple countermeasures to enhance the security of Zhou's cryptosystem, but none of them can essentially enhance the security. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.