CVE-2024-31281 in Church Admin Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 05/17/2024
Missing Authorization vulnerability in andy_moyle Church Admin church-admin.This issue affects Church Admin: from n/a through <= 4.1.6.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/02/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-31281 represents a critical missing authorization flaw within the Church Admin plugin for WordPress systems. This issue specifically impacts versions ranging from the initial release through version 4.1.6, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on this administrative tool for church management operations. The vulnerability stems from inadequate access controls that fail to properly verify user permissions before granting administrative privileges or access to sensitive data within the church management system.
This missing authorization vulnerability falls under the CWE-862 category of "Missing Authorization" which occurs when a system fails to properly enforce access controls for authenticated users. The flaw allows unauthorized users to potentially access administrative functions or sensitive church data without proper authentication or authorization checks. In the context of church administration systems, this could expose confidential information including member details, financial records, event planning data, and other sensitive administrative information that should only be accessible to authorized personnel.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure to encompass potential system compromise and unauthorized administrative actions. Attackers who exploit this vulnerability could manipulate church membership databases, alter financial records, modify event schedules, or access private communications between church administrators and members. This represents a serious concern for religious organizations that handle sensitive personal information and maintain detailed records of their congregants. The vulnerability creates a pathway for malicious actors to gain elevated privileges within the church management system, potentially leading to complete system compromise or data manipulation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-31281 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems to version 4.1.7 or later where the authorization flaw has been addressed. Organizations should implement comprehensive access control measures including role-based access controls, regular security audits, and monitoring of administrative activities within the church management system. Network segmentation and perimeter security measures can help limit the potential impact of exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing multi-factor authentication for administrative access and regular security training for church staff can provide additional layers of protection. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 which covers legitimate credentials and T1484.001 which addresses domain policy modification, both of which could be leveraged through unauthorized access to administrative functions. Organizations should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any potential exploitation that may have already occurred and implement proper incident response procedures to address any confirmed breaches.