Bun and Deno represent two modern JavaScript runtimes that have emerged as alternatives to Node.js, each with distinct approaches to security.
Deno's Security Model
Deno is built with security as a primary concern. It operates within a sandbox environment, meaning that by default, scripts cannot access the file system, network, or environment variables without explicit permission. Developers must use command-line flags like `--allow-read` or `--allow-net` to grant these permissions when executing scripts. This model significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access and enhances overall application security[1][2][4].
Deno also features a comprehensive permissions model that allows for fine-grained control over what resources a script can access, making it the most secure option among the three runtimes. Additionally, Deno includes built-in tools for security audits, further reinforcing its security posture[1][3].
Bun's Security Approach
In contrast, Bun is still in the early stages of developing its security features. Currently, it lacks a permissions model and does not provide sandboxing capabilities. This means that Bun scripts have broad access to system resources by default, similar to Node.js. While Bun has built-in tools aimed at performance and efficiency, its security measures are limited compared to Deno's robust framework[1][4][5].
Bun's development team has plans for future security audits and improvements, but as of now, it does not enforce strict access controls or provide explicit permission requests for sensitive operations[1][3]. This relative lack of mature security features means that Bun may be more vulnerable than both Deno and Node.js.
Comparative Summary
In summary, the key differences in security approaches between Bun and Deno are:
- Deno:
- Operates in a secure sandbox by default.
- Requires explicit permissions for file system and network access.
- Includes built-in security audit tools.
- Bun:
- Lacks a permissions model and sandboxing.
- Scripts have broad access to system resources by default.
- Future security audits are planned but currently not implemented.
For developers prioritizing security in their applications, Deno is clearly the more robust choice at this time, while Bun may appeal to those focused on performance but should be used with caution due to its nascent security framework[2][5].
Citations:[1] https://betterstack.com/community/guides/scaling-nodejs/nodejs-vs-deno-vs-bun/
[2] https://blog.bitsrc.io/should-you-use-bun-or-node-js-or-deno-in-2024-b7c21da085ba?gi=fddd09d6a14a
[3] https://blog.appsignal.com/2023/11/01/what-do-deno-and-bun-bring-to-the-table.html
[4] https://snyk.io/blog/javascript-runtime-compare-node-deno-bun/
[5] https://blog.openreplay.com/bun-vs-node-vs-deno/
[6] https://www.builder.io/blog/bun-vs-node-js
[7] https://maybe.works/blogs/an-introduction-to-the-bun-javascript-runtime
[8] https://www.reddit.com/r/node/comments/10vkuen/anyone_here_actually_using_deno_or_bun/