# MaXsive: High-Capacity and Robust Training-Free Generative Image Watermarking in Diffusion Models

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2507.21195 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2507.21195/

## Key facts

- Cited by 6 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- Placed in Robustness, privacy and adversarial aspects, one of 14 directions in Diffusion models.
- Builds on 11 of its 42 references that are in the map.
- First posted on arXiv 28 Jul 2025.

## Placed in

- Diffusion models / [Robustness, privacy and adversarial aspects](https://mlsanity.com/diffusion/robustness-privacy-and-adversarial-aspects/)
- LLM safety and security / [Watermarking generated content and models](https://mlsanity.com/safety/watermarking-generated-content-and-models/)

## Builds on (most cited first, 11 of 11)

- [Diffusion Models Beat GANs on Image Synthesis](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2105.05233/) (2021)
- [Improved Denoising Diffusion Probabilistic Models](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2102.09672/) (2021)
- [DPM-Solver: A Fast ODE Solver for Diffusion Probabilistic Model Sampling in Around 10 Steps](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2206.00927/) (2022)
- [HiDDeN: Hiding Data With Deep Networks](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1807.09937/) (2018)
- [Robust Invisible Video Watermarking with Attention](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1909.01285/) (2019)
- [RingID: Rethinking Tree-Ring Watermarking for Enhanced Multi-Key Identification](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2404.14055/) (2024)
- [AquaLoRA: Toward White-box Protection for Customized Stable Diffusion Models via Watermark LoRA](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2405.11135/) (2024)
- [InvisMark: Invisible and Robust Watermarking for AI-generated Image Provenance](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2411.07795/) (2024)
- [Hidden in the Noise: Two-Stage Robust Watermarking for Images](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2412.04653/) (2024)
- [Safe-SD: Safe and Traceable Stable Diffusion with Text Prompt Trigger for Invisible Generative Watermarking](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2407.13188/) (2024)
- [Synthetic Shifts to Initial Seed Vector Exposes the Brittle Nature of Latent-Based Diffusion Models](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2312.11473/) (2023)

## Built on by (most cited first, 6 of 6)

- [OSI: One-step Inversion Excels in Extracting Diffusion Watermarks](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2602.09494/) (2026)
- [TokenPure: Watermark Removal through Tokenized Appearance and Structural Guidance](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2512.01314/) (2025)
- [Luminark: Training-free, Probabilistically-Certified Watermarking for General Vision Generative Models](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2601.01085/) (2026)
- [Beyond Detection: Multi-Scale Hidden-Code for Natural Image Deepfake Recovery and Factual Retrieval](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2602.22759/) (2026)
- [WARP: A Unified Benchmark for Invisible Image Watermarking -- Robustness and Protection Against Attacks](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2609.40031/) (2026)
- [Exploring Weaknesses of Generative Image Watermarks against Latent Frequency Masking](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2610.02010/) (2026)

## Abstract (arXiv)

The great success of the diffusion model in image synthesis led to the release of gigantic commercial models, raising the issue of copyright protection and inappropriate content generation. Training-free diffusion watermarking provides a low-cost solution for these issues. However, the prior works remain vulnerable to rotation, scaling, and translation (RST) attacks. Although some methods employ meticulously designed patterns to mitigate this issue, they often reduce watermark capacity, which can result in identity (ID) collusion. To address these problems, we propose MaXsive, a training-free diffusion model generative watermarking technique that has high capacity and robustness. MaXsive best utilizes the initial noise to watermark the diffusion model. Moreover, instead of using a meticulously repetitive ring pattern, we propose injecting the X-shape template to recover the RST distortions. This design significantly increases robustness without losing any capacity, making ID collusion less likely to happen. The effectiveness of MaXsive has been verified on two well-known watermarking benchmarks under the scenarios of verification and identification.
