Researchers Uncover Chrome Extensions Abusing Affiliate Links and Stealing ChatGPT Access

Source Domain: thehackernews.com

Cybersecurity researchers have discovered malicious Google Chrome extensions that come with capabilities to hijack affiliate links, steal data, and collect OpenAI ChatGPT authentication tokens.

One of the extensions in question is Amazon Ads Blocker (ID: pnpchphmplpdimbllknjoiopmfphellj), which claims to be a tool to browse Amazon without any sponsored content. It was uploaded to the Chrome Web Store by a publisher named “10Xprofit” on January 19, 2026.

“The extension does block ads as advertised, but its primary function is hidden: it automatically injects the developer’s affiliate tag (10xprofit-20) into every Amazon product link and replaces existing affiliate codes from content creators,” Socket security researcher Kush Pandya said.

Further analysis has determined that Amazon Ads Blocker is part of a larger cluster of 29 browser add-ons that target several e-commerce platforms like AliExpress, Amazon, Best Buy, Shein, Shopify, and Walmart. The complete list is as follows –

AliExpress Invoice Generator (FREE) – AliInvoice™️ (10+ Templates) (ID: mabbblhhnmlckjbfppkopnccllieeocp)
AliExpress Price Tracker – Price History & Alerts (ID: loiofaagnefbonjdjklhacdhfkolcfgi)
AliExpress Quick Currency & Price Converter (ID: mcaglpclodnaiimhicpjemhcinjfnjce)
AliExpress Deals Countdown – Flash Sale Timer (ID: jmlgkeaofknfmnbpmlmadnfnfajdlehn)
10Xprofit – Amazon Seller Tools (FBA & FBM) (ID: ahlnchhkedmjbdocaamkbmhppnligmoh)
Amazon Ads Blocker (ID: pnpchphmplpdimbllknjoiopmfphellj)
Amazon ASIN Lookup 10xprofit (ID: ljcgnobemekghgobhlplpehijemdgcgo)
Amazon Search Suggestion (ID: dnmfcojgjchpjcmjgpgonmhccibjopnb)
Amazon Product Scraper 10xprofit (ID: mnacfoefejolpobogooghoclppjcgfcm)
Amazon Quick Brand Search (ID: nigamacoibifjohkmepefofohfedblgg)
Amazon Stock Checker 999 (ID: johobikccpnmifjjpephegmfpipfbfme)
Amazon Price History Saver (ID: kppfbknppimnoociaomjcdgkebdmenkh)
Amazon ASIN Copy (ID: aohfjaadlbiifnnajpobdhokecjokhab)
Amazon Keyword Cloud Generator (ID:…