Defunct processes Clamav

["Dermot Paikkos" <dermot@sciencephoto.com>]

Hi

Debian 3.1, kernel 2.4.27-2-generic alpha GNU/Linux
clamd daemon 0.88.2 (OS: linux-gnu, ARCH: alpha, CPU: alpha) with 
ExiScan.

I have been getting hundreds of defunct clamd processes per day.

clamav   26088 18934  0 13:54 ?        00:00:00 [clamd] <defunct>
clamav   26197 18934  0 13:55 ?        00:00:01 [clamd] <defunct>
clamav   26287 18934  0 13:56 ?        00:00:00 [clamd] <defunct>
clamav   26536 18934  0 13:59 ?        00:00:00 [clamd] <defunct>
clamav   26736 18934  0 14:01 ?        00:00:00 [clamd] <defunct>
clamav   26804 18934  0 14:01 ?        00:00:00 [clamd] <defunct>

I first noticed this when my system became un-responsive and I had to 
hit the re-set button.

The processes are all children spawned by clamd which is being called 
by exim (exiscan) to virus-check mail. The processes are left in a 
zombie state when they should exit gracefully.

I have tried getting some help from the clamav list but that what we 
tried has not been successful in stopping the problem. I did send 
some strace output to one helpful user. 

Has anyone else seen this behaviour? Can anyone offer any advice?
TIA.
Dp.


Has anyone else seen this behaviour?