From: marcus@names.co.uk
Operating system: Linux
PHP version: 4.1.1
PHP Bug Type: Program Execution
Bug description: Multiple system calls cause inifinite process forking
If PHP is running via a web server, and mutiple system
calls are made within the script to another script,
hundreds of processes are created. Here is an example:
Script 1:
<?php
for ($i=1; $i<=5; $i++) {
system("php script2.php");
}
?>
Script 2:
<?php
exit;
?>
The effect is the same (and more difficult to stop) when
the system calls are made in the background. e.g.
system("php script2.php >>/dev/null 2>>/dev/null &");
I have even tried calling a shell script, which in turn
calls the second PHP script (both in the background), but
it still causes lots of processes.
The "exec" command is also affected.
At first, I thought this was a problem with either Zeus web
server of Fast CGI, but I have since tried it with Apache
and normal CGI with the same effect.
--
Edit bug report at: http://bugs.php.net/?id=14997&edit=1