Lots of kmutil executions

Question

Created Nov ’20

Replies 7

Boosts 0

Views 5.2k

Participants 7

I am seeing kmutil being executed a *lot* on my iMac with Big Sur.

Apple's documentation says kmutil is used for loading and unloading kexts (and some other things).

Should I be concerned with this much kmutil activity?

Answered by THeberlein in 647468022

I found the issue (sort of). kmutil is launching com.apple.fsplaceholder, so I feel better that it is an Apple thing.

I still don't know what is going on, but an example capture of one of the processes is shown below if anyone is interested. launchd forks, then executes xpcproxy with the arguments (xpcproxy com.apple.applefsplaceholder), and then executes kmutil with the arguments (load -b com.apple.fsplaceholder).

Code Block                              pid: 26919
                  first observed: 2020-11-17 13:54:20
                   last observed: 2020-11-17 13:54:20
                         program: kmutil
                    program path: /usr/bin/kmutil
                      signing ID: com.apple.kmutil
                         team ID: 
       program modification date: 2020-01-01 00:00:00
             program status date: 2020-01-01 00:00:00
                            ppid: 1
                  parent program: launchd
             parent program path: /sbin/launchd
               parent signing ID: com.apple.xpc.launchd
                  parent team ID: 
parent program modification date: 2020-01-01 00:00:00
      parent program status date: 2020-01-01 00:00:00
FORK  /sbin/launchd
EXEC  /usr/libexec/xpcproxy
arguments:
	xpcproxy
	com.apple.applefsplaceholder
EXEC  /usr/bin/kmutil
arguments:
	/usr/bin/kmutil
	load
	-b
	com.apple.fsplaceholder
exit

Boost

Answer 1

Frameworks Engineer OP

Apple

Nov ’20

Do you have a 3rd party kext installed that might be loading itself in a loop? Its hard to dive in without additional information.

0

Answer 2

THeberlein OP

Nov ’20

No 3rd party kexts installed.

0

Answer 3

THeberlein OP

Nov ’20

Accepted Answer

I found the issue (sort of). kmutil is launching com.apple.fsplaceholder, so I feel better that it is an Apple thing.

I still don't know what is going on, but an example capture of one of the processes is shown below if anyone is interested. launchd forks, then executes xpcproxy with the arguments (xpcproxy com.apple.applefsplaceholder), and then executes kmutil with the arguments (load -b com.apple.fsplaceholder).

Code Block                              pid: 26919
                  first observed: 2020-11-17 13:54:20
                   last observed: 2020-11-17 13:54:20
                         program: kmutil
                    program path: /usr/bin/kmutil
                      signing ID: com.apple.kmutil
                         team ID: 
       program modification date: 2020-01-01 00:00:00
             program status date: 2020-01-01 00:00:00
                            ppid: 1
                  parent program: launchd
             parent program path: /sbin/launchd
               parent signing ID: com.apple.xpc.launchd
                  parent team ID: 
parent program modification date: 2020-01-01 00:00:00
      parent program status date: 2020-01-01 00:00:00
FORK  /sbin/launchd
EXEC  /usr/libexec/xpcproxy
arguments:
	xpcproxy
	com.apple.applefsplaceholder
EXEC  /usr/bin/kmutil
arguments:
	/usr/bin/kmutil
	load
	-b
	com.apple.fsplaceholder
exit

1

Answer 4

sampumon OP

Jun ’21

Hi, I've had this same issue ever since upgrading to Big Sur a month ago. Launchd fires kmutil load -b com.apple.fsplaceholder every 10 seconds, causing kernelmanagerd to be my top 2 CPU user.

The following tricks have not helped:

Booting without 3rd party kexts with Cmd+S¹
Resetting NVRAM, as suggested on MacRumors forums
Quitting Dropbox, Google Drive, pCloud Drive and Keybase
Delete deprecated /Library/Extensions/Dropbox.kext
sudo kmutil install --check-rebuild and sudo kmutil install --update-all, which fails with: failed to build release collection: Error Domain=NSPOSIXErrorDomain Code=1 "Operation not permitted"
sudo launchctl unload /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.applefsplaceholder.plist, which fails: Operation not permitted while System Integrity Protection is engaged

¹ I thought this would be safe mode, but is actually single-user mode, which should be disabled but in fact booted with no 3rd party kexts loaded. Safe mode (hold shift) does not work as I've forgotten my EFI password 😅

However, just once I got kernelmanagerd to quiet down by starting Dropbox.

I crudely checked that Dropbox (and VMware) have linkings against com.apple.fsplaceholder:

/Library $ sudo grep -i fsplaceholder -R .
Binary file ./Apple/System/Library/Receipts/com.apple.files.data-template.bom matches
Binary file ./DropboxHelperTools//Dropbox_u501/dbkextd matches

/Applications $ sudo grep -i fsplaceholder -R .
Binary file ./Dropbox.app/Contents/XPCServices/InfiniteProxyHelper.xpc/Contents/MacOS/InfiniteProxyHelper matches
Binary file ./Dropbox.app/Contents/XPCServices/InfiniteProxyHelper.xpc/Contents/embedded.provisionprofile matches
Binary file ./Dropbox.app/Contents/Frameworks/python-extensions/macinfinite_native.cpython-38-darwin.so matches
Binary file ./VMware Fusion.app/Contents/Library/vkd/spherelet-initrd matches

Here's my 3rd party kexts, after removing two from unidentified developers.

Attached is one round of kernelmanagerd insistently checking extensions.

kernelmanagerd-kmutil-fsplaceholder

2021-06-02 14:26:00.089529 +0300	default	kmutil	kmutil (KernelManagement_executables-102.120.15) invoked (by pid 1/launchd): /usr/bin/kmutil load -b com.apple.fsplaceholder
2021-06-02 14:26:00.128654 +0300	default	kernelmanagerd	incoming connection from pid 6569
2021-06-02 14:26:00.129024 +0300	default	kernelmanagerd	loadExtensions(withPaths:withIdentifiers:withPersonalityNames:withDependencyAndFolderPaths:options:withReply:): Loading paths: [], identifiers: ["com.apple.fsplaceholder"], personalityNames: []
2021-06-02 14:26:00.129125 +0300	default	kernelmanagerd	kcgen activation settings: [kcgen enabled]
2021-06-02 14:26:00.153716 +0300	error	kernelmanagerd	Couldn't load bundle 'com.ATTO.driver.ATTOCelerityFC8' from history: Could not find: No bundle at /Library/Extensions/ATTOCelerityFC8.kext
2021-06-02 14:26:00.192564 +0300	default	kernelmanagerd	validating extension at /System/Library/Extensions/IOUSBHostFamily.kext/Contents/PlugIns/AppleUSBVHCIRSM.kext
2021-06-02 14:26:00.201750 +0300	error	kernelmanagerd	Couldn't load bundle 'com.paragon-software.filesystems.ntfs' from history: Could not find: No bundle at /Library/Extensions/ufsd_NTFS.kext
2021-06-02 14:26:00.234757 +0300	default	kernelmanagerd	validating extension at /System/Library/Extensions/IOUSBHostFamily.kext/Contents/PlugIns/AppleUSBRecoveryHost.kext
2021-06-02 14:26:00.367110 +0300	default	kernelmanagerd	validating extension at /private/var/db/KernelExtensionManagement/Staging/com.highpoint-tech.kext.HighPointRR.sgR7zG/HighPointRR.kext
2021-06-02 14:26:00.421104 +0300	default	kernelmanagerd	validating extension at /private/var/db/KernelExtensionManagement/Staging/org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxNetFlt.XHSqaS/VBoxNetFlt.kext
2021-06-02 14:26:00.426071 +0300	error	kernelmanagerd	Couldn't load bundle 'com.Areca.ArcMSR' from history: Could not find: No bundle at /Library/Extensions/ArcMSR.kext
2021-06-02 14:26:00.487170 +0300	default	kernelmanagerd	validating extension at /private/var/db/KernelExtensionManagement/Staging/com.joshuawise.kexts.HoRNDIS.mnyHCa/HoRNDIS.kext
2021-06-02 14:26:00.493745 +0300	error	kernelmanagerd	Couldn't load bundle 'com.CalDigit.driver.HDPro' from history: Could not find: No bundle at /Library/Extensions/CalDigitHDProDrv.kext
2021-06-02 14:26:00.591561 +0300	default	kernelmanagerd	validating extension at /private/var/db/KernelExtensionManagement/Staging/net.tunnelblick.tap.Plrwu8/tap-notarized.kext
2021-06-02 14:26:00.718396 +0300	default	kernelmanagerd	validating extension at /private/var/db/KernelExtensionManagement/Staging/com.softraid.driver.SoftRAID.kRdJwU/SoftRAID.kext
2021-06-02 14:26:00.726741 +0300	error	kernelmanagerd	Couldn't load bundle 'com.valvesoftware.SteamInput-DS4v1' from history: Could not find: No bundle at /Library/Extensions/SteamInput-DS4v1.kext
2021-06-02 14:26:00.752732 +0300	default	kernelmanagerd	validating extension at /System/Library/Extensions/AppleUSBCommon.kext/Contents/PlugIns/AppleUSBVHCICommonRSM.kext
2021-06-02 14:26:00.926876 +0300	default	kernelmanagerd	validating extension at /private/var/db/KernelExtensionManagement/Staging/org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxDrv.gIskZ0/VBoxDrv.kext
2021-06-02 14:26:01.067346 +0300	default	kernelmanagerd	validating extension at /private/var/db/KernelExtensionManagement/Staging/com.intel.kext.intelhaxm.Na02O3/intelhaxm.kext
2021-06-02 14:26:01.073489 +0300	error	kernelmanagerd	Couldn't load bundle 'com.intel.kext.intelhaxm' from history: In exclude list: Kext com.intel.kext.intelhaxm v1.1.1 in executable kext bundle com.intel.kext.intelhaxm at /private/var/db/KernelExtensionManagement/Staging/com.intel.kext.intelhaxm.Na02O3/intelhaxm.kext is in exclude list: inExcludeList
2021-06-02 14:26:01.073597 +0300	error	kernelmanagerd	Couldn't load bundle 'com.paragon-software.filesystems.extfs' from history: Could not find: No bundle at /Library/Extensions/ufsd_ExtFS.kext
2021-06-02 14:26:01.177057 +0300	default	kernelmanagerd	validating extension at /private/var/db/KernelExtensionManagement/Staging/com.pcloud.pcloudfs.filesystems.pcloudfs.qmbGwo/pcloudfs.kext
2021-06-02 14:26:01.182964 +0300	error	kernelmanagerd	Couldn't load bundle 'com.rugarciap.DisableTurboBoost' from history: Could not find: No bundle at /Applications/tbswitcher_resources/DisableTurboBoost.64bits.kext
2021-06-02 14:26:01.307356 +0300	default	kernelmanagerd	validating extension at /private/var/db/KernelExtensionManagement/Staging/com.highpoint-tech.kext.HighPointIOP.ITt139/HighPointIOP.kext
2021-06-02 14:26:01.392714 +0300	default	kernelmanagerd	validating extension at /private/var/db/KernelExtensionManagement/Staging/it.unbit.foohid.4OIKJF/foohid.kext
2021-06-02 14:26:01.398665 +0300	error	kernelmanagerd	Couldn't load bundle 'com.ATTO.driver.ATTOExpressSASRAID2' from history: Could not find: No bundle at /Library/Extensions/ATTOExpressSASRAID2.kext
2021-06-02 14:26:01.398789 +0300	error	kernelmanagerd	Couldn't load bundle 'com.Accusys.driver.Acxxx' from history: Could not find: No bundle at /Library/Extensions/ACS6x.kext
2021-06-02 14:26:01.398905 +0300	error	kernelmanagerd	Couldn't load bundle 'com.valvesoftware.SteamInput' from history: Could not find: No bundle at /Library/Extensions/SteamInput.kext
2021-06-02 14:26:01.399108 +0300	error	kernelmanagerd	Couldn't load bundle 'com.ATTO.driver.ATTOExpressSASHBA2' from history: Could not find: No bundle at /Library/Extensions/ATTOExpressSASHBA2.kext
2021-06-02 14:26:01.399205 +0300	error	kernelmanagerd	Couldn't load bundle 'com.jmicron.JMicronATA' from history: Could not find: No bundle at /Library/Extensions/JMicronATA.kext
2021-06-02 14:26:01.399274 +0300	error	kernelmanagerd	Couldn't load bundle 'com.getdropbox.dropbox.kext' from history: Could not find: No bundle at /Library/Extensions/Dropbox.kext
2021-06-02 14:26:01.399385 +0300	error	kernelmanagerd	Couldn't load bundle 'com.github.osxfuse.filesystems.osxfuse' from history: Could not find: No bundle at /Library/Filesystems/osxfuse.fs/Contents/Extensions/10.11/osxfuse.kext
2021-06-02 14:26:01.399621 +0300	error	kernelmanagerd	Couldn't load bundle 'com.paragon-software.lvm-for-mac' from history: Could not find: No bundle at /Library/Extensions/lvm_for_mac.kext
2021-06-02 14:26:01.455089 +0300	default	kernelmanagerd	validating extension at /private/var/db/KernelExtensionManagement/Staging/au.com.glassechidna.heimdall.usb_shield.3s87UH/heimdall.kext
2021-06-02 14:26:01.525863 +0300	default	kernelmanagerd	validating extension at /private/var/db/KernelExtensionManagement/Staging/com.intel.driver.EnergyDriver.N1ZqCo/EnergyDriver.kext
2021-06-02 14:26:01.537969 +0300	error	kernelmanagerd	Couldn't load bundle 'com.Cycling74.driver.Soundflower' from history: Could not find: No bundle at /Library/Extensions/Soundflower.kext
2021-06-02 14:26:01.595474 +0300	default	kernelmanagerd	validating extension at /private/var/db/KernelExtensionManagement/Staging/org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxNetAdp.19BzsQ/VBoxNetAdp.kext
2021-06-02 14:26:01.673450 +0300	default	kernelmanagerd	validating extension at /private/var/db/KernelExtensionManagement/Staging/com.wch.usbserial.1Lc6Ec/usbserial.kext
2021-06-02 14:26:01.680809 +0300	error	kernelmanagerd	Couldn't load bundle 'com.promise.driver.stex' from history: Could not find: No bundle at /Library/Extensions/PromiseSTEX.kext
2021-06-02 14:26:01.741240 +0300	default	kernelmanagerd	validating extension at /private/var/db/KernelExtensionManagement/Staging/org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxUSB.LckLrc/VBoxUSB.kext
2021-06-02 14:26:01.847115 +0300	default	kernelmanagerd	validating extension at /private/var/db/KernelExtensionManagement/Staging/com.github.kbfuse.filesystems.kbfuse.QIpMya/kbfuse.kext
2021-06-02 14:26:01.853926 +0300	default	kernelmanagerd	Did not find extension in auxKC matching com.apple.fsplaceholder, using timestamps to pick best candidate
2021-06-02 14:26:01.853988 +0300	default	kernelmanagerd	Checking unstaged bundle path /System/Library/Extensions/FSPlaceholder.kext for Kext com.apple.fsplaceholder v1.14.0 in loaded system kext collection
2021-06-02 14:26:01.854751 +0300	default	kernelmanagerd	additional build candidates: 
	Kext com.apple.driver.usb.AppleUSBRecoveryHost v1.2 in executable kext bundle com.apple.driver.usb.AppleUSBRecoveryHost at /System/Library/Extensions/IOUSBHostFamily.kext/Contents/PlugIns/AppleUSBRecoveryHost.kext
	Kext com.apple.driver.usb.AppleUSBVHCICommonRSM v1.0 in executable kext bundle com.apple.driver.usb.AppleUSBVHCICommonRSM at /System/Library/Extensions/AppleUSBCommon.kext/Contents/PlugIns/AppleUSBVHCICommonRSM.kext
	Kext com.apple.driver.usb.AppleUSBVHCIRSM v1.2 in executable kext bundle com.apple.driver.usb.AppleUSBVHCIRSM at /System/Library/Extensions/IOUSBHostFamily.kext/Contents/PlugIns/AppleUSBVHCIRSM.kext
2021-06-02 14:26:01.854799 +0300	default	kernelmanagerd	loading existing auxiliary collection contents from stashed instructions
2021-06-02 14:26:01.907305 +0300	default	kernelmanagerd	validating extension at /private/var/db/KernelExtensionManagement/Staging/org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxNetAdp.6C7PjG/VBoxNetAdp.kext
2021-06-02 14:26:01.995438 +0300	default	kernelmanagerd	validating extension at /private/var/db/KernelExtensionManagement/Staging/com.github.kbfuse.filesystems.kbfuse.WH6Zs1/kbfuse.kext
2021-06-02 14:26:02.072920 +0300	default	kernelmanagerd	validating extension at /private/var/db/KernelExtensionManagement/Staging/com.intel.driver.EnergyDriver.kfvvOn/EnergyDriver.kext
2021-06-02 14:26:02.180701 +0300	default	kernelmanagerd	validating extension at /private/var/db/KernelExtensionManagement/Staging/org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxUSB.Fv0Eb7/VBoxUSB.kext
2021-06-02 14:26:02.256124 +0300	default	kernelmanagerd	validating extension at /private/var/db/KernelExtensionManagement/Staging/org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxNetFlt.HFWAFT/VBoxNetFlt.kext
2021-06-02 14:26:02.387032 +0300	default	kernelmanagerd	validating extension at /private/var/db/KernelExtensionManagement/Staging/net.tunnelblick.tap.TwJ6eK/tap-notarized.kext
2021-06-02 14:26:02.476639 +0300	default	kernelmanagerd	validating extension at /private/var/db/KernelExtensionManagement/Staging/com.pcloud.pcloudfs.filesystems.pcloudfs.B1Mook/pcloudfs.kext
2021-06-02 14:26:02.645776 +0300	default	kernelmanagerd	validating extension at /private/var/db/KernelExtensionManagement/Staging/org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxDrv.bG3d9X/VBoxDrv.kext
2021-06-02 14:26:02.758367 +0300	default	kernelmanagerd	validating extension at /private/var/db/KernelExtensionManagement/Staging/com.highpoint-tech.kext.HighPointIOP.MpK8GP/HighPointIOP.kext
2021-06-02 14:26:02.889961 +0300	default	kernelmanagerd	validating extension at /private/var/db/KernelExtensionManagement/Staging/com.highpoint-tech.kext.HighPointRR.XHmYQ7/HighPointRR.kext
2021-06-02 14:26:03.016208 +0300	default	kernelmanagerd	validating extension at /private/var/db/KernelExtensionManagement/Staging/com.softraid.driver.SoftRAID.YEFAZA/SoftRAID.kext
2021-06-02 14:26:03.023067 +0300	default	kernelmanagerd	checking bundle path /Library/StagedExtensions/Library/Application Support/VirtualBox/VBoxNetAdp.kext for Kext org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxNetAdp v6.1.22 in executable kext bundle org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxNetAdp at /Library/StagedExtensions/Library/Application Support/VirtualBox/VBoxNetAdp.kext
2021-06-02 14:26:03.023216 +0300	default	kernelmanagerd	checking unstaged bundle path /Library/Application Support/VirtualBox/VBoxNetAdp.kext for Kext org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxNetAdp v6.1.22 in executable kext bundle org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxNetAdp at /Library/StagedExtensions/Library/Application Support/VirtualBox/VBoxNetAdp.kext
2021-06-02 14:26:03.023380 +0300	default	kernelmanagerd	checking bundle path /Library/StagedExtensions/Library/Filesystems/kbfuse.fs/Contents/Extensions/11/kbfuse.kext for Kext com.github.kbfuse.filesystems.kbfuse v2053.20 in executable kext bundle com.github.kbfuse.filesystems.kbfuse at /Library/StagedExtensions/Library/Filesystems/kbfuse.fs/Contents/Extensions/11/kbfuse.kext
2021-06-02 14:26:03.023539 +0300	default	kernelmanagerd	checking unstaged bundle path /Library/Filesystems/kbfuse.fs/Contents/Extensions/11/kbfuse.kext for Kext com.github.kbfuse.filesystems.kbfuse v2053.20 in executable kext bundle com.github.kbfuse.filesystems.kbfuse at /Library/StagedExtensions/Library/Filesystems/kbfuse.fs/Contents/Extensions/11/kbfuse.kext
2021-06-02 14:26:03.023646 +0300	default	kernelmanagerd	checking bundle path /Library/StagedExtensions/Library/Extensions/EnergyDriver.kext for Kext com.intel.driver.EnergyDriver v3.7.0 in executable kext bundle com.intel.driver.EnergyDriver at /Library/StagedExtensions/Library/Extensions/EnergyDriver.kext
2021-06-02 14:26:03.023761 +0300	default	kernelmanagerd	checking unstaged bundle path /Library/Extensions/EnergyDriver.kext for Kext com.intel.driver.EnergyDriver v3.7.0 in executable kext bundle com.intel.driver.EnergyDriver at /Library/StagedExtensions/Library/Extensions/EnergyDriver.kext
2021-06-02 14:26:03.023855 +0300	default	kernelmanagerd	checking bundle path /Library/StagedExtensions/Library/Application Support/VirtualBox/VBoxUSB.kext for Kext org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxUSB v6.1.22 in executable kext bundle org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxUSB at /Library/StagedExtensions/Library/Application Support/VirtualBox/VBoxUSB.kext
2021-06-02 14:26:03.023964 +0300	default	kernelmanagerd	checking unstaged bundle path /Library/Application Support/VirtualBox/VBoxUSB.kext for Kext org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxUSB v6.1.22 in executable kext bundle org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxUSB at /Library/StagedExtensions/Library/Application Support/VirtualBox/VBoxUSB.kext
2021-06-02 14:26:03.024055 +0300	default	kernelmanagerd	checking bundle path /Library/StagedExtensions/Library/Application Support/VirtualBox/VBoxNetFlt.kext for Kext org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxNetFlt v6.1.22 in executable kext bundle org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxNetFlt at /Library/StagedExtensions/Library/Application Support/VirtualBox/VBoxNetFlt.kext
2021-06-02 14:26:03.024255 +0300	default	kernelmanagerd	checking unstaged bundle path /Library/Application Support/VirtualBox/VBoxNetFlt.kext for Kext org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxNetFlt v6.1.22 in executable kext bundle org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxNetFlt at /Library/StagedExtensions/Library/Application Support/VirtualBox/VBoxNetFlt.kext
2021-06-02 14:26:03.024466 +0300	default	kernelmanagerd	checking bundle path /Library/StagedExtensions/Applications/Tunnelblick.app/Contents/Resources/tap-notarized.kext for Kext net.tunnelblick.tap v5300.3 in executable kext bundle net.tunnelblick.tap at /Library/StagedExtensions/Applications/Tunnelblick.app/Contents/Resources/tap-notarized.kext
2021-06-02 14:26:03.024605 +0300	default	kernelmanagerd	checking unstaged bundle path /Applications/Tunnelblick.app/Contents/Resources/tap-notarized.kext for Kext net.tunnelblick.tap v5300.3 in executable kext bundle net.tunnelblick.tap at /Library/StagedExtensions/Applications/Tunnelblick.app/Contents/Resources/tap-notarized.kext
2021-06-02 14:26:03.024841 +0300	default	kernelmanagerd	checking bundle path /Library/StagedExtensions/Applications/pCloud Drive.app/Contents/Resources/pcloudfs.fs/Contents/Resources/mount_pcloudfs.app/Contents/Extensions/11/pcloudfs.kext for Kext com.pcloud.pcloudfs.filesystems.pcloudfs v2064.20 in executable kext bundle com.pcloud.pcloudfs.filesystems.pcloudfs at /Library/StagedExtensions/Applications/pCloud Drive.app/Contents/Resources/pcloudfs.fs/Contents/Resources/mount_pcloudfs.app/Contents/Extensions/11/pcloudfs.kext
2021-06-02 14:26:03.025158 +0300	default	kernelmanagerd	checking unstaged bundle path /Applications/pCloud Drive.app/Contents/Resources/pcloudfs.fs/Contents/Resources/mount_pcloudfs.app/Contents/Extensions/11/pcloudfs.kext for Kext com.pcloud.pcloudfs.filesystems.pcloudfs v2064.20 in executable kext bundle com.pcloud.pcloudfs.filesystems.pcloudfs at /Library/StagedExtensions/Applications/pCloud Drive.app/Contents/Resources/pcloudfs.fs/Contents/Resources/mount_pcloudfs.app/Contents/Extensions/11/pcloudfs.kext
2021-06-02 14:26:03.025327 +0300	default	kernelmanagerd	checking bundle path /Library/StagedExtensions/Library/Application Support/VirtualBox/VBoxDrv.kext for Kext org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxDrv v6.1.22 in executable kext bundle org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxDrv at /Library/StagedExtensions/Library/Application Support/VirtualBox/VBoxDrv.kext
2021-06-02 14:26:03.025501 +0300	default	kernelmanagerd	checking unstaged bundle path /Library/Application Support/VirtualBox/VBoxDrv.kext for Kext org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxDrv v6.1.22 in executable kext bundle org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxDrv at /Library/StagedExtensions/Library/Application Support/VirtualBox/VBoxDrv.kext
2021-06-02 14:26:03.025823 +0300	default	kernelmanagerd	checking bundle path /Library/StagedExtensions/Library/Extensions/HighPointIOP.kext for Kext com.highpoint-tech.kext.HighPointIOP v4.4.5 in executable kext bundle com.highpoint-tech.kext.HighPointIOP at /Library/StagedExtensions/Library/Extensions/HighPointIOP.kext
2021-06-02 14:26:03.026045 +0300	default	kernelmanagerd	checking unstaged bundle path /Library/Extensions/HighPointIOP.kext for Kext com.highpoint-tech.kext.HighPointIOP v4.4.5 in executable kext bundle com.highpoint-tech.kext.HighPointIOP at /Library/StagedExtensions/Library/Extensions/HighPointIOP.kext
2021-06-02 14:26:03.026220 +0300	default	kernelmanagerd	checking bundle path /Library/StagedExtensions/Library/Extensions/HighPointRR.kext for Kext com.highpoint-tech.kext.HighPointRR v4.22.1 in executable kext bundle com.highpoint-tech.kext.HighPointRR at /Library/StagedExtensions/Library/Extensions/HighPointRR.kext
2021-06-02 14:26:03.026392 +0300	default	kernelmanagerd	checking unstaged bundle path /Library/Extensions/HighPointRR.kext for Kext com.highpoint-tech.kext.HighPointRR v4.22.1 in executable kext bundle com.highpoint-tech.kext.HighPointRR at /Library/StagedExtensions/Library/Extensions/HighPointRR.kext
2021-06-02 14:26:03.026590 +0300	default	kernelmanagerd	checking bundle path /Library/StagedExtensions/Library/Extensions/SoftRAID.kext for Kext com.softraid.driver.SoftRAID v6.0 in executable kext bundle com.softraid.driver.SoftRAID at /Library/StagedExtensions/Library/Extensions/SoftRAID.kext
2021-06-02 14:26:03.026802 +0300	default	kernelmanagerd	checking unstaged bundle path /Library/Extensions/SoftRAID.kext for Kext com.softraid.driver.SoftRAID v6.0 in executable kext bundle com.softraid.driver.SoftRAID at /Library/StagedExtensions/Library/Extensions/SoftRAID.kext
2021-06-02 14:26:03.027416 +0300	default	kernelmanagerd	loaded collection: auxiliary kext collection at /Library/KernelCollections/AuxiliaryKernelExtensions.kc
2021-06-02 14:26:03.034332 +0300	default	kernelmanagerd	At least one of the request extensions / bundled extensions com.apple.fsplaceholder are NOT in the exclude list. Will do full resolution of load request
2021-06-02 14:26:03.039362 +0300	default	kernelmanagerd	platform dext requests (direct loadable):
2021-06-02 14:26:03.039436 +0300	default	kernelmanagerd	platform kext requests (direct loadable): 
	Kext com.apple.fsplaceholder v1.14.0 in loaded system kext collection
2021-06-02 14:26:03.039469 +0300	default	kernelmanagerd	other kext requests:
2021-06-02 14:26:03.039742 +0300	default	kernelmanagerd	resolved kext load request:
	1 direct platform kext loads,
	0 direct auxiliary kext loads,
	0 auxkc candidates (building not required)
	0 awaiting reboot (already approved)
	0 approvals needed
2021-06-02 14:26:03.039807 +0300	default	kernelmanagerd	direct loads: 
	Kext com.apple.fsplaceholder v1.14.0 in loaded system kext collection
2021-06-02 14:26:03.039849 +0300	default	kernelmanagerd	loading extension from in-kernel fileset: com.apple.fsplaceholder (will start, will match)
2021-06-02 14:26:03.040417 +0300	default	kernelmanagerd	Connection with client pid 6569 invalidated.

0

Answer 5

sampumon OP

Jun ’21

Hello I Fixed this by deleting them nasty smelling file:

$ ls -l /Library/Preferences/com.apple.fsplaceholder/
-rw-r--r--  1 root wheel   0 May 21 18:43 com.dropbox.user.98ecb765c7491ca8a181eaacc2aeac1ce7fd0c4a

Restarted Dropbox, and it hasn't come back as of yet. Thanks, Dropbox..

--

I realised that /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.applefsplaceholder.plist has:

	<key>QueueDirectories</key>
	<array>
		<string>/Library/Preferences/com.apple.fsplaceholder</string>
	</array>

…and from man launchd.plist:

QueueDirectories <array of strings> This optional key keeps the job alive as long as the directory or directories specified are not empty.

Huh 🤪

2

Answer 6

lukeb_19 OP

Jun ’21

Hi, I have the same problem with kernelmanagerd.

May I ask what kind of logs you were looking at to figure out where the problem was coming from?

0

Answer 7

jacko116 OP

Apr ’23

Sorry to bring this thread from the dead... I'm having the same problem, and I can confirm what PerterJ has said. However, I contacted dropbox about the issue and hopefully they will do something about it. I have just a question, how did you create the empty file com.apple.fsplaceholder to avoid the recreation of the directory. I've created a file (with textedit) with no extension, but the folder keeps being created. How did you manage this?

Thanks,

G.

0