Amid growing threats of image data leakage and misuse, image encryption has become a critical safeguard for protecting visual information. However, many recent image encryption algorithms remain constrained by trade-offs between security, efficiency, and practicability. To address these challenges, this paper first proposes a novel two-dimensional variable fractional-order coupled quadratic hyperchaotic map (2D-VFCQHM), which incorporates a state-dependent dynamic memory effect, wherein the fractional-order is adaptively determined at each iteration by the mean of the system’s current state. This mechanism substantially enhances the complexity and unpredictability of the underlying chaotic dynamics. Building upon the superior hyperchaotic properties of the 2D-VFCQHM, we further develop a high-performance image encryption algorithm that integrates a novel fusion strategy within a dynamic vector-level diffusion-scrambling framework (IEA-VMFD). Comprehensive security analyses and experimental results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm achieves robust cryptographic performance, including a key space of $2^{298}$, inter-pixel correlation coefficients below 0.0018, ciphertext entropy greater than 7.999, and near-ideal plaintext sensitivity. Crucially, the algorithm attains an encryption speed of up to 126.2963 Mbps. The exceptional balance between security strength and computational efficiency underscores the practical viability of our algorithm, rendering it well-suited for modern applications such as telemedicine, instant messaging, and cloud computing.

As digital images proliferate across open networks, securing them against unauthorized access has become imperative. However, many recent image encryption algorithms are limited by weak chaotic dynamics and inadequate cryptographic design. To overcome these, we propose a new 2D coupling-enhanced cubic hyperchaotic map with exponential parameters (2D-CCHM-EP). By incorporating exponential terms and strengthening interdependence among state variables, the 2D-CCHM-EP exhibits strict local expansiveness, effectively suppresses periodic windows, and achieves robust hyperchaotic behavior, validated both theoretically and numerically. It outperforms several recent chaotic maps in key metrics, yielding significantly higher Lyapunov exponents and Kolmogorov–Sinai entropy, and passes all NIST SP 800-22 randomness tests. Leveraging the 2D-CCHM-EP, we further develop a hierarchical significance-aware multi-image encryption algorithm (MIEA-CPHS). The core of MIEA-CPHS is a hierarchical significance-aware encryption strategy that decomposes input images into high-, medium-, and low-significance layers, which undergo three, two, and one round of vector-level adaptive encryption operations. An SHA-384-based hash of the fused data dynamically generates a 48-bit adaptive control parameter, enhancing plaintext sensitivity and enabling integrity verification. Comprehensive security analyses confirm the exceptional performance of MIEA-CPHS: near-zero inter-pixel correlation (7.999), and superior plaintext sensitivity (NPCR $\approx 99.61\%$, UACI $\approx 33.46\%$). Remarkably, the hierarchical design and vectorized operations achieve an average encryption throughput of 87.6152 Mbps, striking an outstanding balance between high security and computational efficiency. This makes MIEA-CPHS highly suitable for modern high-throughput applications such as secure cloud storage and real-time media transmission.