CURL problems detected: 28 => connect() timed out!

While trying to install ZC on a VPS with Liquid Web, I keep getting the following errors:

• CURL problems detected: 28 => connect() timed out! more info...
• CURL requires SSL support. Please notify webmaster or hosting company. 28 => connect() timed out! more info...
• CURL problems detected: 28 => connect() timed out! more info...
• CURL requires SSL support. Please notify webmaster or hosting company. 28 => connect() timed out! more info...

Now Liquid Web responded with this, saying it's zen-cart.com's problem: So, my question is, are they right? Or just blowing smoke?

It looks like the cURL test requires a connection to https://www.zen-cart.com, but
upon performing a traceroute and telnet to port 80 of https://www.zen-cart.com, it
doesn't open a connection, is not blocked anywhere on your server, by either
the firewall or routing tables. I can hit port 80 from my workstation, so I
know https://www.zen-cart.com is not down. But, for the installation check phase, it's
saying cURL does not have SSL support, because it can't reach port 443 on
https://www.zen-cart.com. You will need to email them or contact them in some way,
telling them that you are blocked.

Here is a traceroute from your server to them:

http://pastie.org/private/qqbrgdpeege4lwmf4dwlgq

Here's a port 80 and 443 connect from your server:

[root@host ~]# nc -w 10 -v https://www.zen-cart.com 80 DNS fwd/rev mismatch:
zen-cart.com != 174.36.207.130-static.reverse.softlayer.com zen-cart.com
[174.36.207.130] 80 (http) : Connection timed out

[root@host ~]# nc -w 10 -v https://www.zen-cart.com 443 DNS fwd/rev mismatch:
zen-cart.com != 174.36.207.130-static.reverse.softlayer.com zen-cart.com
[174.36.207.130] 443 (https) : Connection timed out

And this is from my workstation:

21:09:26-zach@ninja:~$ nc -v -w 10 https://www.zen-cart.com 80 DNS fwd/rev mismatch:
zen-cart.com != 174.36.207.130-static.reverse.softlayer.com zen-cart.com
[174.36.207.130] 80 (www) open

21:18:01-zach@ninja:~$ nc -v -w 10 https://www.zen-cart.com 443 DNS fwd/rev mismatch:
zen-cart.com != 174.36.207.130-static.reverse.softlayer.com zen-cart.com
[174.36.207.130] 443 (https) open

I would advise that you contact Zen-cart.com or Softlayer, and let them know
that your server's IP of 67.225.132.34 is being blocked. Otherwise, your cart
should work fine. Let me know if you have any further questions or concerns.

Hi,

The IP address you gave, [67.225.132.34], has indeed been blocked by our server.

Some digging in our security logs show a number of entries originating from this ip address, which are scripted attempts to access common vulnerabilities. i.e. hack attempts.

I realise that the original poster is not in any way responsible for this, however, someone else using that IP address is.

I have removed the block on that IP address, however if rogue scripts are running on that IP address it is highly likely our monitoring systems will block it again.

Thank you! They were having issues with their VPS, and LW actually moved them to a new machine this week, which should have given them this IP address as a new one. I will pass along the info.

Just thought I'd pitch in here as it may help. I was having the same issue (Bluehost is the hosting company). I submitted a support ticket and they fixed it. It was an issue with cURL on the server apparently. Here was their response:

"Your server is currently experiencing a denial-of-service (ddos) attack. Our admins have deployed anit-ddos measures to ensure your site remains online. However these measures will prevent any outbound connections being made from the shared ip of the server, including curl connections.

Our administrators have changed the ip address curl uses to make the connection which should resolve the connection problem.

Please try placing another order through your cart and let us know if problems persist."