Stdlib: extension_loaded('curl') true but curl_init() LogicException — phantom ext registration (ext/standard/info.c) #11627

Category

stdlib · php-src-strict · same class as #11472 (intl/grapheme phantom extension_loaded)

Problem

extension_loaded('curl') reports true, but calling curl_init() throws LogicException: curl_init() is not implemented in this compiler build (issue #3325). Zend only returns true when the extension is actually loadable; feature probes must not lie.

Verified 2026-06-25 — php bin/vm.php.

php-src reference

• php/php-src ext/standard/info.c — php_info_print_modules / zend_hash_str_find
• php/php-src ext/curl/interface.c — curl_init registration

Repro

test/repro/maintainer_gap_extension_loaded_curl.php

php bin/vm.php test/repro/maintainer_gap_extension_loaded_curl.php

Implementation hints (PHP-in-PHP)

• Align extension_loaded() registry in ext/standard with modules that actually register handlers (skeleton #6999 should not mark curl loaded until curl_init is real)
• Prefer fixing registry over try/catch stubs in user code

Done when

• extension_loaded('curl') false until ext/curl handlers ship or curl_init() succeeds when loaded
• Repro green; audit other skeleton extensions for same phantom pattern