CVE-2025-62521
Prior to version 5.21.0, a pre-authentication remote code execution vulnerability in ChurchCRM's setup wizard allows unauthenticated attackers to inject arbitrary PHP code during the initial installation process, leading to complete server compromise.
Does this matter?
High impact if exploited, but EPSS currently rates exploitation as unlikely (4.51%). Schedule it in the normal patch cycle and watch for a rise in EPSS or a public exploit.
Description
ChurchCRM is an open-source church management system. Prior to version 5.21.0, a pre-authentication remote code execution vulnerability in ChurchCRM's setup wizard allows unauthenticated attackers to inject arbitrary PHP code during the initial installation process, leading to complete server compromise. The vulnerability exists in `setup/routes/setup.php` where user input from the setup form is directly concatenated into a PHP configuration template without any validation or sanitization. Any parameter in the setup form can be used to inject PHP code that gets written to `Include/Config.php`, which is then executed on every page load. This is more severe than typical authenticated RCE vulnerabilities because it requires no credentials and affects the installation process that administrators must complete. Version 5.21.0 patches the issue.
- CVSS 3.1
- 9.8 CRITICALCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
- EPSS
- 4.51% probability · 91th percentile
- CISA KEV
- Not listed
- Weakness
- CWE-94
- Affected
- churchcrm/churchcrm
- Source
- security-advisories@github.com
References
- https://github.com/ChurchCRM/CRM/security/advisories/GHSA-m8jq-j3p9-2xf3Exploit, Vendor Advisory
Source: NVD record, EPSS from FIRST.org, KEV from CISA. Refreshed daily.