[CentOS] Runaway rpm process?

CentOS-6.4_x86_64

I have a KVM virtual machine (several actually) which acts as a warm
spare for another kvm instance running on a different physical host. 
Each hour it backs up the live system using rsync.  This morning I
discovered that the backup instance was running at 99% utilisation and
that the process consuming the entire virtual cpu was this:

sh -c rpm -q -a --queryformat
"%{NAME}\n%{VERSION}-%{RELEASE}\n%{EPOCH}\n%{GROUP}\n%{SUMMARY}\n\n"
2>/dev/null

In fact there were two identical instances of these processes, one the
parent of the other.

The vm instance does not have access to the internet as its physical
host is connected to the physical host of the live kvm using a x-over
patch cable.

Where is this process started from?  What does it do?  And why is it
consuming so much cpu.?

Does anyone here have any ideas?




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James B. Byrne                mailto:ByrneJB at Harte-Lyne.ca
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