I haven’t done this yet because I didn’t need it, but I think you have the option to install newer packages by creating a nixpkgs overlay. If the build process didn’t change between versions, it should be pretty straightforward. See nixos.wiki/wiki/Overlays, section “Overriding a version” for an example. Better yet create an issue on the nixpkgs bugtracker, or even better file a pull request for the updated package.
Edit: you could even define a new updated package just for the package that depends on it and then pass that new package as a normal override. No need to update the package systemwide.