> Source: [sk164259](https://support.checkpoint.com/results/sk/sk164259)

# sk164259 - High number of zombie sh processes

| Property | Value |
|----------|-------|
| Solution ID | sk164259 |
| Date Created | 2019-12-24 |
| Last Modified | 2025-10-08 |
| Technical Level | General |
| Products | Security Gateway, Security Management Server |
| Versions | R81.10 (EOS), R81.10 (EOS) |
| OS | Gaia |

## Symptoms

- * In the output of "ps aux" there is a high number of zombie sh processes, for example:

  ```
  
  16 admin 20558 1450 0.0 0.0 0 0 Z 00:00:00 Oct 07 | \_ [sh] < defunct >
  17 admin 20587 1450 0.0 0.0 0 0 Z 00:00:00 Oct 07 | \_ [sh] < defunct >
  20 admin 21149 1450 0.0 0.0 0 0 Z 00:00:00 Oct 07 | \_ [sh] < defunct >
  15 admin 21157 1450 0.0 0.0 0 0 Z 00:00:00 Oct 07 | \_ [sh] < defunct >
  ```

* The zombie processes are child process of /bin/confd.
* The real name option is configured for the users:

  ```
  
  passwd:User1:realname U1
  passwd:User2:realname U2
  ```

* Restarting confd resolves the issue.

## Cause

When adding users via clish command line, confd creates a child process but does not release the resources used. This creates zombie process under confd.

## Solution

This problem was fixed. The fix is included in:

* [Jumbo Hotfix Accumulator for R80.30](https://supportcenter.checkpoint.com/supportcenter/portal?eventSubmit_doGoviewsolutiondetails=&solutionid=sk153152) starting from Take 217
* [Jumbo Hotfix Accumulator for R80.20](https://supportcenter.checkpoint.com/supportcenter/portal?eventSubmit_doGoviewsolutiondetails=&solutionid=sk137592) starting from Take 173

If you choose not to upgrade, Check Point can supply a **Hotfix** . [Contact Check Point Support](https://www.checkpoint.com/support-services/contact-support/) to get a Hotfix for this issue.  

A Support Engineer will make sure the Hotfix is compatible with your environment before providing the Hotfix.  

For faster resolution and verification, please collect [CPinfo files](http://supportcontent.checkpoint.com/solutions?id=sk92739) from the Security Management Server and Security Gateways involved in the case.

**Hotfix installation instructions:**   
Refer to [sk168597 - How to install a Hotfix](https://supportcenter.checkpoint.com/supportcenter/portal?eventSubmit_doGoviewsolutiondetails=&solutionid=sk168597).

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