steghide

Embed data in an image

$ steghide embed -cf [path/to/image.jpg] -ef [path/to/data.txt]

$ steghide extract -sf [path/to/image.jpg]

$ steghide info [path/to/file.jpg]

$ steghide embed -cf [path/to/image.jpg] -ef [path/to/data.txt] -z 9

$ steghide encinfo

$ steghide embed -cf [path/to/image.jpg] -ef [path/to/data.txt] -e blowfish cbc

$ steghide extract -sf [path/to/image.jpg] -xf [path/to/output.txt]

steghide command [arguments]

steghide is a steganography tool that hides data within JPEG, BMP, WAV, and AU files. It compresses and encrypts the secret data before embedding it in positions that preserve the cover file's statistical properties, making detection difficult.
The tool uses a graph-theoretic approach to find optimal embedding positions. Default encryption is AES-128 in CBC mode with a user-provided passphrase. The embedded data's integrity is verified using CRC32 checksums.

-cf, --coverfile file

Cover file for embedding

File to embed (stdin if omitted)

Stego file (input for extract, output for embed)

Output filename for extracted data

Encryption algorithm and mode (default: rijndael-128 cbc)

Compression level 1-9

Skip compression

Supply passphrase

Omit CRC32 checksum

Don't embed original filename

Overwrite existing files

Detailed output

Suppress messages

embed

Hide data in a cover file

Retrieve hidden data from stego file

Display file information and detect embedded data

List available encryption algorithms and modes

Cover file capacity depends on file size and content; info command shows available space. Heavily compressed images have less embedding capacity. Strong passphrases are essential for security. The cover file is modified in place unless -sf specifies output.

steghide was created by Stefan Hetzl and first released in 2003. It remains one of the most widely used open-source steganography tools, commonly used in CTF competitions, security research, and privacy applications. The tool is available in most Linux distribution repositories.

stegsnow(1), outguess(1), openstego(1)