We study the structure of an S-box based on a fractional linear transformation applied on the Galois field $$GF(2^{8})$$ . The algorithm followed is very simple and yields an S-box with a very high ability to create confusion in the data. The cryptographic strength of the new S-box is critically analyzed by studying the properties of S-box such as nonlinearity, strict avalanche, bit independence, linear approximation probability and differential approximation probability. We also apply majority logic criterion to determine the effectiveness of our proposed S-box in image encryption applications.

The role of substitution boxes is very important in block ciphers. Substitution boxes are utilized to create confusion in the cryptosystem. However, to create both confusion and diffusion in any cryptosystem p-boxes and chaos base substitution boxes are designed. In this work, a simple method is presented that serves both ways. This method is based on composition of the action of symmetric group on Galois field and inversion map. This construction method provides a large number of highly non-linear substitution permutation boxes having the property of confusion as well as diffusion. These substitution permutation boxes have all the cryptography properties. Their utilization in the image encryption application is measured by majority logic criterion. We named these newly designed substitution boxes (S-boxes) as substitution permutation boxes (S-p-boxes), because they serve as both substitution boxes (S-boxes) as well as permutation boxes (p-boxes).