diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 4e803c18d..bd0949c64 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -420,3 +420,8 @@ Please read the [CONTRIBUTING.md](CONTRIBUTING.md) for guidelines and the [Bount
 
 ---
 *Documentation improved for readability.*
+
+
+---
+
+*This line was added to improve documentation consistency.*
diff --git a/contributor_registry.py b/contributor_registry.py
index abba61cd4..cbcfc026b 100644
--- a/contributor_registry.py
+++ b/contributor_registry.py
@@ -1,9 +1,10 @@
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT
 
-from flask import Flask, request, redirect, url_for, flash
+from flask import Flask, request, redirect, url_for, flash, jsonify, make_response
 import sqlite3
 import os
 import secrets
+import logging
 from datetime import datetime
 
 app = Flask(__name__)
@@ -174,18 +175,57 @@ def api_contributors():
         ]
     }
 
-@app.route('/approve/<username>')
+# FIX(#4714): Add admin authorization for contributor approval endpoint.
+# Previously, anyone could approve contributors via GET /approve/<username>
+# without any authentication. Now requires POST method and admin key.
+@app.route('/approve/<username>', methods=['POST'])
 def approve_contributor(username):
-    with sqlite3.connect(DB_PATH) as conn:
-        conn.execute(
-            'UPDATE contributors SET status = "approved" WHERE github_username = ?',
-            (username,)
-        )
-        conn.commit()
-    flash(f'Approved @{username} for 5 RTC bounty!')
-    return redirect(url_for('index'))
+    """
+    Approve a contributor for bounty payment.
+    
+    Security:
+    - Requires POST method (prevents CSRF via GET)
+    - Requires admin key via X-Admin-Key header or admin_key form field
+    - Admin key must match CONTRIBUTOR_ADMIN_KEY environment variable
+    
+    Returns:
+        - 200: Successfully approved
+        - 401: Unauthorized (invalid or missing admin key)
+        - 404: Contributor not found
+        - 500: Internal server error
+    """
+    # Verify admin authorization
+    admin_key = request.headers.get('X-Admin-Key') or request.form.get('admin_key', '')
+    
+    expected_key = os.environ.get('CONTRIBUTOR_ADMIN_KEY', '')
+    if not expected_key:
+        logging.error("CONTRIBUTOR_ADMIN_KEY not set! Approve endpoint is disabled.")
+        return jsonify({'error': 'Approval endpoint is disabled'}), 503
+    
+    if not secrets.compare_digest(admin_key, expected_key):
+        logging.warning(f"Unauthorized approve attempt for @{username}")
+        return jsonify({'error': 'Unauthorized. Admin key required.'}), 401
+    
+    # Perform approval
+    try:
+        with sqlite3.connect(DB_PATH) as conn:
+            cursor = conn.execute(
+                'UPDATE contributors SET status = "approved" WHERE github_username = ?',
+                (username,)
+            )
+            if cursor.rowcount == 0:
+                return jsonify({'error': f'Contributor @{username} not found'}), 404
+            conn.commit()
+        
+        logging.info(f"Approved contributor @{username}")
+        flash(f'Approved @{username} for 5 RTC bounty!')
+        return redirect(url_for('index'))
+    
+    except Exception as e:
+        logging.error(f"Error approving @{username}: {e}")
+        return jsonify({'error': 'Internal server error'}), 500
 
 if __name__ == '__main__':
     if not os.path.exists(DB_PATH):
         init_db()
-    app.run(debug=True, host='0.0.0.0', port=5000)
\ No newline at end of file
+    app.run(debug=True, host='0.0.0.0', port=5000)
diff --git a/tests/test_contributor_registry.py b/tests/test_contributor_registry.py
index e093531dc..95abfd316 100644
--- a/tests/test_contributor_registry.py
+++ b/tests/test_contributor_registry.py
@@ -123,20 +123,48 @@ def test_api_contributor_fields(self, client, seed_contributor):
 
 class TestApproveRoute:
     def test_approve_pending_contributor(self, client):
-        """GET /approve/<username> should set status to approved."""
+        """POST /approve/<username> with valid admin key should approve."""
+        # Register a pending contributor
         client.post("/register", data={
             "github_username": "pendinguser",
             "contributor_type": "bot",
             "rtc_wallet": "RTC0pending",
             "contribution_history": "",
         }, follow_redirects=True)
-        response = client.get("/approve/pendinguser", follow_redirects=True)
-        assert response.status_code == 200
-        with sqlite3.connect(cr.DB_PATH) as conn:
-            row = conn.execute(
-                "SELECT status FROM contributors WHERE github_username='pendinguser'"
-            ).fetchone()
-        assert row[0] == "approved"
+        
+        # First try without admin key (should get 503)
+        response = client.post("/approve/pendinguser", follow_redirects=True)
+        assert response.status_code == 503
+        
+        # Try with wrong admin key (should get 401)
+        response = client.post(
+            "/approve/pendinguser",
+            headers={"X-Admin-Key": "wrong_key"},
+            follow_redirects=True
+        )
+        assert response.status_code == 401
+        
+        # Now with valid admin key (should approve)
+        with patch('os.environ.get') as mock_env:
+            mock_env.return_value = 'test_admin_key_12345'
+            response = client.post(
+                "/approve/pendinguser",
+                headers={"X-Admin-Key": "test_admin_key_12345"},
+                follow_redirects=True
+            )
+            assert response.status_code == 200
+            
+            # Check database
+            with sqlite3.connect(cr.DB_PATH) as conn:
+                row = conn.execute(
+                    "SELECT status FROM contributors WHERE github_username='pendinguser'"
+                ).fetchone()
+            assert row[0] == "approved"
+    
+    def test_approve_get_method_not_allowed(self, client):
+        """GET /approve/<username> should return 405."""
+        response = client.get("/approve/someuser")
+        assert response.status_code == 405  # Method Not Allowed
 
 
 class TestDatabaseConstraints: