Cybersecurity researchers are cautioning users against installing certain browser extensions that claim to improve ChatGPT functionality, warning that some of these tools are being used to steal sensitive data and gain unauthorized access to user accounts.
These extensions, primarily found on the Chrome Web Store, present themselves as productivity boosters designed to help users work faster with AI tools. However, recent analysis suggests that a group of these extensions was intentionally created to exploit users rather than assist them.
Researchers identified at least 16 extensions that appear to be connected to a single coordinated operation. Although listed under different names, the extensions share nearly identical technical foundations, visual designs, publishing timelines, and backend infrastructure. This consistency indicates a deliberate campaign rather than isolated security oversights.
As AI-powered browser tools become more common, attackers are increasingly leveraging their popularity. Many malicious extensions imitate legitimate services by using professional branding and familiar descriptions to appear trustworthy. Because these tools are designed to interact deeply with web-based AI platforms, they often request extensive permissions, which exponentially increases the potential impact of abuse.
Unlike conventional malware, these extensions do not install harmful software on a user’s device. Instead, they take advantage of how browser-based authentication works. To operate as advertised, the extensions require access to active ChatGPT sessions and advanced browser privileges. Once installed, they inject hidden scripts into the ChatGPT website that quietly monitor network activity.
When a logged-in user interacts with ChatGPT, the platform sends background requests that include session tokens. These tokens serve as temporary proof that a user is authenticated. The malicious extensions intercept these requests, extract the tokens, and transmit them to external servers controlled by the attackers.
Possession of a valid session token allows attackers to impersonate users without needing passwords or multi-factor authentication. This can grant access to private chat histories and any external services connected to the account, potentially exposing sensitive personal or organizational information. Some extensions were also found to collect additional data, including usage patterns and internal access credentials generated by the extension itself.
Investigators also observed synchronized publishing behavior, shared update schedules, and common server infrastructure across the extensions, reinforcing concerns that they are part of a single, organized effort.
While the total number of installations remains relatively low, estimated at fewer than 1,000 downloads, security experts warn that early-stage campaigns can scale rapidly. As AI-related extensions continue to grow in popularity, similar threats are likely to emerge.
Experts advise users to carefully evaluate browser extensions before installation, pay close attention to permission requests, and remove tools that request broad access without clear justification. Staying cautious is increasingly important as browser-based attacks become more subtle and harder to detect.
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