Multisite subdomain domain mapping wildcard ssl image load subsite issues

As far as I can tell this happens because the certificate for electricdredgereelsetc com is used when trying to access an image from electricdredgereelsetc fishingkitesetc com. This certificate is not valid for that hostname. The wildcard certificate is not used for that request. No idea why (might be a web server configuration issue).

The question is why do the image URLs are constructed using the internal domain names of the multisite? Not a multisite expert here, but something does not seem right.

Dear George Notaras,

Thanks for the heads up. I noticed one thing strange which may be similar to what you said.

When I open admin & front page both in same browser in different tabs, it asks SSL error saying THIS CERTIFICATE BELONG TO XXX.com not xx.XXX.com & when i say proceed with this knowing the risk, it displays some of the images in front.

I am not sure why my multisite setup (followed set up instruction as CODEX) is giving this issue? since i use 2 certificate? 1 for sub-domain for wildcard & 1 for main domain standard ssl?

I really need some help from multisite guys out there.

Much Appreciated.
Thanks
Vassi

Hi Vassi,

I assume that every attempt to access the internal domains (eg electricdredgereelsetc fishingkitesetc com) over HTTPS is always giving you an error in the browser. This indicates that possibly there is a problem with the web server configuration and the SSL termination.

So, I’d suggest to leave wordpress aside for a moment and focus on accessing the same static file, such as an image, over HTTPS from all domains. For instance, I’m picking the following default image from wordpress includes:

/wp-includes/images/wpicons.png

And try to access it from all your domains using **HTTPS**:

fishingkitesetc com/wp-includes/images/wpicons.png
antifatigueboatmats com/wp-includes/images/wpicons.png
electricdredgereelsetc com/wp-includes/images/wpicons.png
antifatigueboatmats fishingkitesetc com/wp-includes/images/wpicons.png
electricdredgereelsetc fishingkitesetc com/wp-includes/images/wpicons.png

The last two URLs should be giving an error. This indicates a problem, so please try to make sure that the web server and the SSL certificates are configured properly, so that you can access the image over HTTPS from all the above URLs without issues.

An example configuration would be to create 3 virtualhosts:

1) (server name with the main and all internal domains) fishingkitesetc com, antifatigueboatmats fishingkitesetc com, electricdredgereelsetc fishingkitesetc com, etc, + Wildcard SSL certificate
2) antifatigueboatmats com + relevant simple SSL certificate
3) electricdredgereelsetc com + relevant simple SSL certificate

(UPDATE: The above is a sample to give you an idea, please try to fix your current config instead of reimplementing. There could be only one virtual host with all server names. Many ways to do this.)

After this is fixed, head to the wordpress and domain mapping settings and make sure the site URLs are using the https:// protocol and all relevant settings are properly configured for https access.

Currently, I don’t have such a multisite set up to give you more precise info, but I hope you get the idea.

Hope this helps!

George

i opened all of your links, surprisingly they all opened without any error.

Only difference is the last 2 are not having padlock of ssl in safari.

Hope this give you an idea of where i am.

Hey Vassi,

I see. The same error still occurs and I guess you will have to recheck the server configuration.

The general idea is to configure a virtual server (in your web server configuration) in such a way so that it serves at least the main domain name and all the internal multisite subdomains and also perform the ssl termination using the wildcard certificate. If ssl termination takes place at an earlier point, the very same remarks still stand.

I could go into these details, then again I’m still finding my way around these forums, so I’m not really sure if this is the right place for this discussion. As far as I can tell this is not a wordpress issue at this point, so I’d highly recommend asking in a user forum related to your web server (a user forum about any popular linux distribution would do as well).

Any other forum member should feel free to join and post their comments/corrections/suggestions.

Now, i set up just a multisite with domain mapping and ssl certificate: main site has wildcard & subdomain pointing domains has separate standard ssl.

antifatigueboatmats.com – exactly back to the same where we started. no logo displayed.
Another subdomain is not set as primary – electricdredgereelsetc.fishingkitesetc.com
Displays the logo.

So, not sure why the moment it pointed to domain, it breaks the image?

Just worried of this entire process with no end or solution.

Thanks
vassi

Hi Vassi,

At some point I guess you will have to stop thinking and start listening… ?? ??

I suggest that you just forget about the multisite. Move its files to a temporary directory and just put a single image file in the document root.

Then focus on the web server configuration and try to access that image file over HTTPS from all the domains that are going to be served from the multisite.

Start with the configuration of the virtual server that is going to serve the main domain and all the subdomains (multisite internal domains) using the wildcard certificate. Make sure this works.

Then add the rest of the domains and their respective certificates to the equation.

Make sure the image file can be accessed over HTTPS from all domains without security warnings.

Then go ahead with setting up the multisite. I assume that it’ll just work, but make sure you set up the URLs to use https:// and go through any options related to HTTPS.

I hope this helps. I’m afraid there is nothing more I can do for this issue. You just have to start from the beginning and solve any problem that occurs. Setting up the multisite should be the last thing to do.

George

Dear George,

Thanks, I exactly did what you suggested. And i am back to square one.

Only achievement is: logos are now loading with SSL. not other images.

However logo of a domain link shows as:
https://antifatigueboatmats.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2016/02/AFBMlogo.jpg
Even though it is actually is here : https://antifatigueboatmats.fishingkitesetc.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2016/02/AFBMlogo.jpg

I have even went to theme developer and his suggestion to go to theme messages.php to make sure it calls only “//” than https / http. so that is perfectly set too.

I dont know what else i can try. May be leaving domain mapping plug in is the one option i haven’t tried.

Thanks

@tatsavit

Hello Vassi,

Thanks, I exactly did what you suggested. And i am back to square one.

Only achievement is: logos are now loading with SSL. not other images.

I’m afraid your web server is still not configured properly. Could you post any web server configurations or describe how exactly you have configured it for accessing the multisite over HTTPS? Otherwise I’m not sure if anyone will be able to help you.

PS: I highly recommend asking in a user forum or mailing list related to the web server you use.

Hello George,

Thank you for your help. I will look over it later this week.

I had to make it work and had no much time to do more R&D on it as it was many months and no sign of a relief, I shifted to UCC SSL from wildcard ssl.

Everything now seems to be working as needed. SSL2BUY guys just fixed it after i purchased their ssl in 10 mins.

However i owe you guys an detailed answer of my set up / changes done, I will surely post soon.

Once again, i appreciate all of the guys who answered me & tried to help me out.

Much respect & regards
vassi