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Information hiding in SOAP messages: a steganographic method for web services

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<mark>Journal publication date</mark>03/2011
<mark>Journal</mark>International Journal for Information Security Research (IJISR)
Issue number1-2
Volume1
Number of pages10
Pages (from-to)61-70
Publication StatusPublished
<mark>Original language</mark>English

Abstract

Digital steganography is the art and science of hiding communications; a steganographic system thus embeds secret data in public cover media so as
not to arouse an eavesdropper’s suspicion. Hence, it is a kind of covert communication and information security. There are still very limited methods of
steganography to be used with communication protocols, which represent unconventional but promising steganography mediums. In this paper, we
discuss and analyze a number of steganographic studies in text, XML as well as SOAP messages. Then, we propose a novel steganography method to be used for SOAP messages within Web services environments. The method is based on rearranging the order of specific XML elements according to a secret message. This method has a high imperceptibility; it leaves almost no trail because of
using the communication protocol as a cover medium, and since it keeps the structure and size of the SOAP message intact. The method is empirically
validated using a feasible scenario so as to indicate its utility and value.