This　paper　proposes　a　novel　scheme　for　encrypted　JPEG　image　retrieval,　which　includes　image　encryption　and　retrieval　phases.　Using　the　scheme,　the　content　owner　encrypts　JPEG　images　by　jointly　applying　permutation　cipher　and　stream　cipher　to　their　corresponding　bit-streams,　and　then　transmits　encrypted　versions　to　a　database　server.　With　an　encrypted　query　image,　although　the　server　learns　nothing　about　the　plaintext　content,　it　may　extract　local　statistical　feature　of　intra-block　AC　coefficients　using　a　new　feature　descriptor.　Subsequently,　exploiting　block-wise　feature　comparison,　the　server　can　measure　the　similarity　between　encrypted　query　image　and　database　image.　After　that,　the　encrypted　images　with　plaintext　content　similar　to　the　query　image　are　returned　to　the　authorized　user.　Experimental　results　show　that　the　proposed　scheme　can　ensure　both　format　compliance　and　file　size　preservation　while　providing　effective　retrieval　service　in　encrypted　domain.　(C)　2016　Elsevier　Inc.　All　rights　reserved.