How does Bun's security compare to Deno's permission model

Deno's Permission Model

Deno is designed with security as a primary focus. It operates in a secure sandbox environment, requiring explicit permissions for accessing system resources such as the file system and network. By default, scripts in Deno have no access to these resources unless permissions are granted using flags like `--allow-read` or `--allow-net`. This model enforces fine-grained control over what scripts can do, significantly reducing the risk of unauthorized access and vulnerabilities[1][2][4].

Deno's security features include:

- Explicit Permissions: Developers must explicitly allow access to files, networks, and environment variables.
- Runtime Permission Requests: Scripts can request permissions at runtime, providing flexibility while maintaining security.
- Default Sandboxing: Deno runs scripts in a sandboxed environment, enhancing isolation from the underlying system[1][4][5].

Bun's Security Features

In contrast, Bun lacks a formal permissions model and does not implement sandboxing. Currently, it inherits some of the security vulnerabilities associated with Node.js, as it aims for compatibility with Node's ecosystem. While Bun has built-in security features aimed at performance optimization, such as dead code elimination based on static analysis, it does not yet provide the same level of control over permissions as Deno. The Bun team has indicated plans for future security audits and enhancements but has not yet implemented a comprehensive security framework[1][2][3][4].

Key points about Bun's approach include:

- Lack of Permissions Model: Bun does not currently enforce explicit permissions for sensitive operations.
- Focus on Performance: The primary emphasis is on speed and efficiency rather than security controls.
- Future Plans: There are intentions to develop more robust security features, but these are still in the planning stages[1][3][4].

Conclusion

Overall, Deno offers a more secure environment out of the box due to its strict permissions model and sandboxing capabilities. Bun, while promising in terms of performance and compatibility with Node.js, is still evolving its security framework and currently falls short compared to Deno's established practices. For projects where security is paramount, Deno is the recommended choice; however, developers interested in performance may consider Bun with caution until its security features mature[1][2][5].