Re:Show HN: Smol machines – subsecond coldstart, portable vi...
by binsquare on Friday April 17, 2026 @05:21PM
(#47810709)
Security is a broad topic.
Here's how my perspective:
smolvm operates on the same shared responsibility model as other virtual machines.
VM provides VM-level isolation.
If the user mounts a directory with the capability of symlinks or a host OS with a path for guest software that is designed to escape - that is the responsibility of the user rather than the VM.
Security is not guaranteed by using a specific piece of software, it's a process that requires different pieces for different situations. smolvm can be a part of that process.
Here's how my perspective:
smolvm operates on the same shared responsibility model as other virtual machines.
VM provides VM-level isolation.
If the user mounts a directory with the capability of symlinks or a host OS with a path for guest software that is designed to escape - that is the responsibility of the user rather than the VM.
Security is not guaranteed by using a specific piece of software, it's a process that requires different pieces for different situations. smolvm can be a part of that process.